Boris Johnson hires experts to look at Thames estuary airport

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Mayor Boris Johnson is preparing to appoint the civil engineer who helped build Hong Kong's island airport to conduct a feasibility study into the plan.

It comes as MPs set up a cross-party group to lobby the Government to investigate the Thames estuary idea.

Douglas Oakervee, who was the lead engineer in the construction of Hong Kong International Airport and chairs the Crossrail project, will meet Mr Johnson's aides to discuss the terms of his involvement in a feasibility study.

The Thames estuary airport proposal is similar to the Hong Kong airport, which was opened in 1998 on mainly reclaimed land.

Deputy mayor Kit Malthouse said: "There is no question we can achieve this. The irony is that British engineers have already done it in Hong Kong. We can bring their ambition to London if there is the political will."

The Government is preparing to announce whether a third runway will be built at Heathrow, in the face of mounting environmental protests and dissent among ministers.

Labour MP Nick Raynsford said: "There are a lot of Labour MPs who are already extremely uncomfortable about the expansion of Heathrow.

"An airport to the east would make a reality of the regeneration of the Thames Gateway, create jobs and attract industry to an area of deprivation."

Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin is leading the new all-party group. He said: "Privately, government ministers view the proposal [for an estuary airport] more favourably than the official line."

Meanwhile, three MPs will accuse the Government this week of "burying" plans to impose a congestion charge on vehicles using roads around Heathrow to help pay for its expansion. The idea, which would apply to all vehicles, was included as an option in a technical document a year ago. A motion to be tabled today by MPs with constituencies near Heathrow will accuse the Government of trying to smuggle the plans out without proper consultation.