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Tories disown Thames airport on 'Boris Island'
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor13 Nov 2008
THE Tories today poured cold water over Boris Johnson's plan for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers revealed in a letter to a Liberal Democrat MP that the party's high command did not support the proposal.
Mr Johnson aims to replace Heathrow as the UK's main airport with up to six runways on a man-made island -dubbed Boris Island - two miles off Sheerness in Kent.
In a letter to Lib-Dem MP Norman Baker, Ms Villiers wrote: "With regard to media debate on the possibility of a new airport in the Thames Estuary, this is not an option at which the Conservative party is looking.
"Boris Johnson is considering a range of ideas relevant to transport and aviation links to our capital city but this is his own initiative."
Instead of a third Heathrow runway, the Tories want a new high speed rail link connecting London with the Midlands and the North.
Central Office insiders suggested there was some concern that Mr Johnson's Thames Estuary plans could put off Tory voters in the area.
The plan has been dismissed as unworkable by environmentalists and Kent residents. There are also questions over whether the Mayor has the jurisdiction to develop such a project outside the capital.
The British Air Transport Association, which represents airlines including British Airways and Virgin, also indicated it did not support the proposal. However, the Mayor this week announced that Douglas Oakervee, the lead engineer behind the construction of Hong Kong International Airport and chairman of the Crossrail project, will oversee a feasibility study. He will not be paid for his work.
Mr Johnson told the London Assembly: "It is our duty, when you look at the environmental catastrophe that would be occasioned by constructing a new runway at Heathrow, to look at all available alternatives. The environmental implications of a new airport in the Thames Estuary depend entirely on where that airport were to be situated and the scale of that airport. "
However, Lib-Dem Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said: "Once again [the Mayor is] coming out with an option that isn't going to get funding. This airport is the most unrealistic proposal I have heard."
Reader views (30)
If boris cant afford to build a tram, hows he going to afford an airport! its a publicity stunt.
- Sean Kirwin, london, 02/12/2008 13:27
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There are a lot of views from people in London that support this proposal on the grounds that 'it would be best for London' etc. No thought or consideration at all is being given to the people in Kent and Essex that would be affected. I wonder how the supporters of johnsons latest distraction would feel if the County Councils here started making plans to run eight lane motorways right through London for our benefit and convenience.
- Rob, Rochester, 17/11/2008 11:09
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Axe that pensioner hostel at the end of The Mall and turn that and St James's Park into a heliport and then build the new London Airport anywhere in the North Sea.
- Len, Perth, Australia, 17/11/2008 09:36
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D, you've misunderstood the Canute story. He knew exactly what he could and couldn't do, and that holding back the tide was in the can't do category. He went through with the charade to teach his toadying flunkies a lesson.
- Tonyb, Melbourne, Australia, 15/11/2008 22:32
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Never realised Boris was another King Canute who can hold back the rising sea levels of the Thames by sheer pomposity and flannel.
- D, London, 14/11/2008 17:41
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That's why I hope that the Tories will not win outright the next election.
Boris's idea is modern and shows forfront thinking. Not archaic attitudes of the inpotent and incompent Tories. They simple by theie name CONSERATIVES are demonstrating that they haven't got the ability, to think, nor move fowards for modern times.
Boris if the STUPID TORIES are against the island airport ask the EEC under polution and noise enviorment clauses.
YES BORIS GO AHEAD AND BUILD IT. It will give employment to tens of thousands in direct jobs and associated employment.
- A. Winsley, London. England, 14/11/2008 14:28
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Why not use Manston?
- Frank, BONCATH WALES, 14/11/2008 11:57
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Huge, offshore, airports have been built in several parts of the world. So why not London?
Heathrow's approach paths over London are potentially very dangerous. This airport was placed where it is long before air travel became what it is today.
The road system around this area has gradually become a complete mess. Adding yet another runway will make it even worse.
If an A380 ploughs into a London housing estate, perhaps Boris's idea will be seen (retrospectively) as a good idea. Good for him thinking of alternatives, as someone else wrote 'outside the box'.
- Brian Slack, Hemel Hempstead, England, 14/11/2008 09:59
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Boris thinks out of the box - unlike all the political party hacks, who are only worried about keeping their seats and not rocking the boat.
- Tony Gee, London, 13/11/2008 17:01
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I have always believed that a Thames estuary airport is the future. Marvellous that someone in power is actually investigating the viability of it, it seems common sense to me. Can't see why the Tory party is objecting when they don't even have any data yet. Typical of the pompous attitude of Cameron/Osbourne!
- Antoine Desmoines, London, UK, 13/11/2008 16:48
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I believe less people would regard Boris and his ideas crazy if he obeyed the rules of the road when cycling into work every day. Hypocritical or what?
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 13/11/2008 16:42
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Whatever merit the 'BJ' plan for an airport on the Thames Estuary may or may not have, it is better than another runway for Heathrow whose infrastructure cannot cope adequately now. Come to thinl of it, little of London's transport infrastructure can cope now.
I smell serious 'vested interests' in the Heathrow expansion plan, as I smell vested interests in the ridiculous 'bendy (bent!) buses' I watched today bring thwe City of London to a grinding halt this lunchtime. (Route 25) Junction of Eastcheap and Gracechurch Street.
A touch of the thread but these stupid buses make as much sense as building another runway at Heathropw - id est NONE!
- David Llewelyn Davies, London Great Britain, 13/11/2008 15:11
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What Boris could do is to have a second review looking at the minor airports in Kent and assess them as possible bases for a new airport. There must be half a dozen University departments in London who could do this, efficiently, quickly and relatively cheaply. And the Tory Party as a whole can help by encouraging another review of former USAAF and RAF bases in the East of England to see if they would be a good basis for another airport.
- Richard Meredith, Huntingdon UK, 13/11/2008 15:07
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i think it shows how out of touch villiers is, she's dull as dish water and frankly this plan makes complete sense, build a new airport out the way, cutting noise and air pollution over residential areas, then redevelop the entrie heathrow site? what more do you want???
i think this demonstrates how stupid conservative transport policy is at a national level..
- Amy, London, 13/11/2008 14:17
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I see Judith C (Chalmers?) is against a new airport and states that she values birds over people. There you have it peeps -caring greenies in action.
I think it's a fantastic idea. Go for it! I've seen the HK one and it's great! Why can't we have a decent gateway to the UK instead of the rancid Heathslow and grotty Gatwick!
- Rusty Shackleford, UK, 13/11/2008 13:48
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I didn’t vote for Boris but he is proving me wrong. The simple choice is this:
A new airport in the East built along the lines of the fantastic Dubai and Hong Kong developments which would generate vast income and jobs for the deprived areas of East London or
A 3rd runway at Heathrow which is already stretched beyond belief and would only serve to line the pockets of the airport owners from the landing taxes, rather than bring any sort of financial compensation to the surrounding areas for the increased flights and for the whole of London for the increased pollution over our city.
- St, London, 13/11/2008 13:13
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london has a second airport it's called Gatwick and that is where the new runway will be built. So stop wasting money trying to potect NIMBY tory voters in SW London.
Politically the Thames corridor is full of marginal seats the Tories need to win in the next election this sort of thing will ensure they don't.
Lap it up Boris you are in your own way as as out of touch as Ken was!!
- Duncan Bailey, Kent, 13/11/2008 13:08
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The skies are overcrowded already. Having jets taking off, landing and circling in holding stacks over London sounds like a disaster just waiting to happen. Flying in and out over the North Sea avoids this, reduces noise and other pollution over the capital. Never mind logic though - its an 'opportunity' for the numpties to go Boris baiting. Yeehaa
- Bob Salloway, London, England, 13/11/2008 13:06
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Perhaps someone could put Boris Johnson and his man servent Friday Andrew Gilligan on a deserted island. Southend does have Fantesy Island which sounds like the right place to put these two. They could man the pirate ship?
Anyone else see yesterdays report of a plane involved in a bird strike which damaged one of its engines. Something which would be a greater danger at a seaside airport.
As for Tony Islander thinking "Trains dont get very far." He should book a one-way ticket on the Trans Siberian Express and try walking back!
And what about the TGV Services and those that cross America.
Instead of fancy airports Boris should stick to Trams and rail investments like extending HS1 from Stratford to meet the East Coast line at Welwyn which would allow Eurostar to reach Leeds and the north thus reducing the demand for domestic flights. Its called "Joined -up thinking." A quality BOJO fails to have.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 13/11/2008 12:37
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The UK has a number of recent examples of projects coming in on time and on budget, particularly in London. Don't knock it - Boris will be opening the Woolwich DLR extension in a few months, which is one of them. However, he's unlikely to mention his predecessor's role in it, because he never does, nor will he mention that the team that planned it is being thrown out of work. Classy.
Boris International's not a good idea though, because it's the far side of London for most travellers, the airlines don't want it, there's no operator, it would seriously annoy hi-tech industries along the M4/M3 corridors who've set up there to be near the airport and it would require enormous investment in surface transport links purely to serve it without causing enormous congestion on existing roads and railways. It's this which sank previous projects. That's before you get onto the huge problem of financing it, the environmental cost, the likelihood of higher oil prices depressing demand, rising sea levels, bird strike risk and that ship full of explosives near the site that Boris was unaware of until Jenny Jones pointed it out.
It's a non-starter, and at least the main Tory party realise this. Frankly if neither Labour nor the Conservatives are going to back it, it's already dead. Your job is to keep London moving, Boris, and so far you're making a pigs ear of it. Drop the vanity projects and get a grip.
- Tom, London, 13/11/2008 12:26
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No,No, a thousand times NO!! to an airport in the Thames Estuary. The birds who flock there are far, far far more valuable than Ryan Air transporting obese people to places there is no need for them to go to. We, of East London, DON'T WANT AN AIRPORT HERE!! Disregard this at your peril Boris!
- Judith C, London, UK, 13/11/2008 12:25
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How true to form are the Tories. Give them an opportunity to shoot down a Labour proposal and they end up arguing amongst themselves. Everything starts at the top. It is high time David Cameron sorted out the likes of Villiers and Osborne and reinstated David Davis who would bring him solutions not problems.
- John, London, 13/11/2008 12:05
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It's only an investigation. If it becomes a steamroller project that goes ahead regardless of political or public opinion (step forward the Congestion Charge and Heathrow Runway 3), then it will become an issue. Let Boris do what he was elected to do.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 13/11/2008 12:03
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Johnson is clearly putting distance between himself and the Tory Party in the hope that he can win London in 2012 without being handicapped by the Tories.
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex, 13/11/2008 11:31
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What makes a politician think he knows whats best for us.
Transport is in a mess, the economy is in a mess, the whole country is in a mess. I am sure if you asked Londoners if they wanted a brand new shiny efficient functionable airport in the thames estuary or stick with what we have at HeathSLOW, the answer would favour east London, So stick with it mr mayor, be bold be brave be Boris.
- Mr S.Port, London, 13/11/2008 11:17
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Sounds to me like a good idea to investigate the possibilities.
- Bill Kearns, southampton england, 13/11/2008 11:15
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Wherever you put another runway or aiport somebody is going to be upset. After the fantastic land reclamtion for Hong Kong International and in Dubai its shown to be possible. Im sorry to say that if the UK built something like this it would be 10 years late, cost the tax payer about 20 times more than first estimate and be falling apart before its completed.
- Paul Tavener, Gatwick (near the airport), 13/11/2008 10:46
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Trains don't get one very far, now if they got one to global destinations it would be a different matter!
- Tony Islander, Herts, 13/11/2008 10:43
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Boris Johnson is right all alternatives must be looked at.I think a new airport away from London is the only way ,whether that be in the estuary or another site.A lot more Londoners will be affected by pollution from a third runway and the best solution is to move the entire operation from the sprawling mess that Heathrow has become.The time has come to build a new modern airport without a flightpath over one of the most densely populated areas in Europe.
- Jim Ex Pat,N1, thailand, 13/11/2008 10:40
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Exactly what view do the Tories have on the third runway? It's virtually impossible to tell. They don't seem to have any views on any major issue. One Tory favoured a fast rail link to a major airport in the middle of England, and immediately other Tories derided the idea. Just where do they stand on anything???? At least Boris is putting forward a sound alternative. At least we know where Boris stands on the issue. Cameron and company will never be electable as long as they continue their wishy-washy indecisiveness on every major issue. In my view, that is a major reason that Brown and Labour have rebounded -- at least you know where they stand, even if you don't agree. At least we now know that Cameron and company don't like Boris' island airport concept -- but what's their alternative?? I'd heavily bet that if Brown approves a third runway for Heathrow, you will not see Cameron reversing the decision. Anyone giving odds?
- Phil Jones, London UK, 13/11/2008 10:31
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