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Boris 'on Fantasy Island' over airport in estuary
Joe Murphy, Political Editor24.09.08
Ruth Kelly today launched a searing attack on Boris Johnson's "Fantasy Island" plan to move Heathrow.
In her final speech as Transport Secretary, she slammed his call for a new airport in the Thames estuary as irresponsible and damaging to London.
"Boris may find his Fantasy Island airport a useful device to distract from the Tories' divisions on Heathrow," she told the Labour conference. "I call it politically opportunistic, economically irresponsible and environmentally disastrous."
Ms Kelly also announced a review of airlines to prevent a repeat of the ordeal suffered by passengers who were left stranded when XL collapsed.
And she promised an extra £25 million to "kickstart new bus services in both urban and rural areas".
Last week Mr Johnson declared that siting Heathrow in west London was a "mistake" because two million people were affected by flight-path noise.
But Ms Kelly accused him of manufacturing the issue to avoid the question of whether or not to expand Heathrow with a third runway.
"The real test of the character of a politician - or a party - is how they deal with difficult times and unpopular decisionsnot just the easy ones," she said. "If London is to thrive as a major international hub, supporting the UK economy by providing good international connections, then it needs a hub airport that has sufficient capacity."
She claimed Labour was on the side of ordinary families in championing cheap air travel. "We all cherish the opportunity to visit friends and relatives abroad, catch up with loved ones, or take a well earned holiday," she said.
"But if we want to maintain those hardwon opportunities, I truly believe we must be brave in challenging those who would ration flying and make it once more the preserve of the rich."
Campaigners against Heathrow say an airport on an artificial island or stilts in the estuary would enable 24-hour takeoffs and landings with less disruption.
Ms Kelly argues that such a plan would be unsafe because flocks of seabirds would endanger aircraft. It would also be costly and require the building of a new town to serve the airport as well as motorway links and the equivalent of a new Crossrail scheme.
Reader views (7)
Fantasy Island? Ruth Kelly should get out more.... perhaps that's why she's left her post? Still not a bad soundbite. Heathrow is a national disgrace and BAA with it. It's quite right for Boris to suggest a third way and he should be applauded for it. I suspect the great effort and expense such a scheme needs would be far better for Londoners and the UK in general than our vainglorious Olympics. Don't give up Boris, I for one would be very happy to pre-book a ticket from any corner of the world if it meant I could pick my destination as London: Fantasy Island.
- Peter, london
Imagine how much the land of Heathrow would fetch for housing! Enough to build a number of airport islands. As far as the railways are concerned, both the Hi-Speed line and the Crossrail go near the intended site, and there are fewer buildings which would need to be demolished to build rail and road corridors.
Sea Birds? I think Ruth is clutching at feathers here.
- Alex Mckenna, Manchester
Not normally a fan of Boris but this is a sensible long term solution. I wish someone was brave enough to stand up to BAA and get on with this.
- David, London
Boris has visionary solution for future of travel and environment. He is practical and the right man to make London the super capital of the world, like Patton made Hong Kong efficient and economically the envy of the world.
- Prakash Shah, London
Ruth Kelly demonstrated why she was a failure as transport minister by making snide remarks about the Thames Estuary airport idea. Before hundreds of houses near Heathrow are demolished it would have been sensible for her department to have conducted a proper investigation into alternative solutions. Instead we appear to be getting what BAA want to the cost of everybody in London. Good riddance to you Mrs Kelly.
- Bethany Williams, London
i think a new town to go with ;fantasy island; is a good idea. look at the innovations in dubia area.this island needs enlargment particularly with rising sea levels predicted.
- R Elphick, north devon
There could be a good safety reason for this idea. If Heathrow continues in operation for, say, 50 years, what are the chances of a major crash by an aircraft approaching from the East in that period. That would be a terrible incident. The recent western-approach by the Beijing flight had a very lucky escape. Over a period of many years operation, however safe aircraft are, something could go wrong.
- M Wood, Somerset
