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Mayor backs City Airport's plan to boost flights by half
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor11.09.08
Boris Johnson has given the "green light" to City Airport plans that could see a 50 per cent increase in flights.
Newham Council delayed a decision to grant planning permission last month after Mr Johnson intervened, saying he wanted the project to meet certain conditions first.
These included concerns that land earmarked for regeneration could be blighted and that the planning case for a Thames Gateway bridge damaged.
However, the Mayor's office confirmed that he was now happy to back the proposal, which would see an increase in the number of flights from 80,000 to 120,000 a year by 2010.
In a letter to airport bosses before the conditions were met, Mr Johnson said: "I strongly recognise and appreciate the contribution City Airport makes to London's world city status, and the benefits the airport offers to the City and Canary Wharf.
"I also recognise and support the economic contribution and employment opportunities it provides for Newham residents. These would be enhanced by the current proposals and, as such, I offer support for the expansion sought."
However, he warned that any further expansion would be "extremely difficult" to justify or support. The airport planning application will not cross his desk but his informal support could help its chances with the local authority and the Government.
Green Assembly member Darren Johnson criticised the Mayor for his "totally unbelievable" position on expanding City Airport.
"This flies in the face of any environmental commitment the Mayor has got and it's just going to add to noise problems," he said.
"We need to use that land in east London far more productively for housing and for green industries, not for an airport that is just going to cause environmental problems. It's unnecessary to have an airport there now and the scheduled flights it has are well served by the Channel Tunnel rail link."
City Airport chiefs have no plans to build a new runway, change the airport's hours of operation or to bring in night flights. Instead it would increase capacity during current working hours.
Bosses developed the plan for more flights in response to the Government's Aviation White Paper, which requires operators to maximise use of existing runways before building new ones.
Residents near the airport already say noise levels are unacceptable.
Reader views (15)
Nepotism and corruption in Newham council are the reasons this expansion has been given the go-ahead. It is unbelievable that a major airport is going to operate within the City of London.
Boris has made a fool of himself (yet again) by supporting this expansion non-sense.
The airport doesn't give a damn about the community as long as they make millions for their subprime ridden shareholders.
- J Aguilera, Royal Docks, London
I'm sick to death of the pro lobby going on about the GREENIES!! I'm not a greenie, I'm a resident that was sold a home close to an airport that was not to bad. There where prop planes and the odd jet. I was told don't be silly that airport can't expand there's no room and more homes are to built in South East and East London, you've nothing to worry about. 3 years later and I and my neighbours are living a nightmare with 90% Jet airplanes tearing over our homes and ruining our lives. Oh but I forgot the airport only flies during the day. So do people who work shift work have to suffer more? Or do they not live near this greedy corporate machine that only thinks of it's share holders.
The benefits DO NOT out way the harm that the expansion has and will cause to people who have been lied to.
I'm sorry that Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stanstead are not enough for Londoners and that Mr BIG wants an easy trip to his villa oversea's.
We in the East and South East have been lied to that's the biggest kick of all.
I don't want to hear from the person who says it's your own fault and just live with it. All airports expand. Just watch out when they want to expand in YOUR area and we'll see what you'll say.
Newham Council and Greenwich for that matter put business over it's residents. Don't let them fool you anymore. They will allow the expansion as the don't care about us, Their getting their council tax even if your living in hell.
- Barry Boy, West Thamesmead, Greenwich
Buy the site of Ford UK in Dagenham instead.
It HAS more space f more runways & flights.
- Robert J M Barrett, LONDON, GB
I live right under their path and most planes I dont notice (when the windows are closed and the TV up load, but the bigger planes are deafening and the TV can't cancel them out.. more planes ok but they must be smaller.. the ones we have now are too loud.. I also work shifts and big planes don't help... all you need is one to miss the runway and my house is gone. Move airports to less developed areas and never develop residentially near them. Learn from our current experience. Make London a better place for all rather than those with the cash to live in the quieter areas.
- Rob, Royal Victoria dock
"Green" light? Shurely shome mishtake.
- C. Nichol, London
Sometimes we forget there is an international airport nearby. It is very very quiet even at peak times. We support Airport expansion.
- Melvin, Tollgate Road, Beckton
While Boris kills off tram schemes that would bring major improvements in public transport he gives his blessing to expansion of an airport which creates more and more pollution both air and noise.
And then he tries to make out his against Heathrow expansion...
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
I live in Britannia Village which is very close to the City Airport. Each morning I am woken up by the sound of planes landing and taking off. I am lucky I work full time so I am not in during the day, but I do feel sorry for those residents who stay at home as they must constantly hear the sound of the planes' engines.
Further expansion will only increase noise levels for residents. The builders have not sufficiently insulated the propreties although they have put in some weird ventilation system which allows you to keep your windows closed but also ventilate rooms - it is rubbish. The windows are so thin (also a problem in winter, but that is a different matter).
I appreciate that expansion will allow for more jobs, but surely some other enterprise can be developed in the area that can benefit the local economy and give local residents a decent quality of life!
I urge the local authority to spend some time with residents during the day so that they can appreciate the noise levels. As usual decisions are being made by people who will NOT be affected.
RTC
- Rtc, Silvertown
City airport is fabulous - fast, efficient and clean. But I hope the expansion plans include extra terminal space for the passengers as there's only just enough space for the number of flights there are today.
- Ian, London
City Airport is about 20 million times more convenient that Gatwick or Heathrow. It's a max 5 minute check in, 2 minute walk to the gate, and planes are rarely delayed!
Sssssh, don't tell anyone though?
- Marianne, SW France
The aiport is making life a misery for residents. The airport was only meant to be a small business airport, but with 120,000 that is the same number of flights as Luton. Now they are using bigger and noisier planes.
Would Boris Johnson allow flights in the middle of Kensington?. But just because this is East London - he does not care!
- R, London
nice to see Boris keeping his pledges about the environment..........not
- Norbert Nyandebvu, london
City Airport, unlike the rest, is clean, well run, efficient and a pleasure to use. I fully support the expansion! The green lobby would have us never leaving the country if they could.
- Jon H, Limehouse, London
Excellent news as long as environmental and noise levels for locals are properly considered. City airport is a cracking little airport and more holiday destinations are to be welcomed.
- Squiz, Islington
Heathrow also benefts London and beyond. Time to expand Heathrow too Boris.
- Ad, London
