Boris Johnson has urged the Government’s airports commission to consider London and the UK’s longterm economic and housing needs when drawing up its final recommendations to ministers.
Earlier this year the commission shortlisted three options, including a new 3,500m runway at Heathrow Airport, but failed to back the Mayors preferred option of a new hub airport in the Thames estuary.
Like many London politicians, including all parties on the London Assembly, the Mayor is opposed to further redevelopment at Heathrow.
In a new dossier sent to the commission, he argues that a new estuary airport would support 400,000 jobs and boost the UK economy by £7bn a year and is “commercially feasible”.
Development in the estuary, which falls outside London’s borders, is opposed by local residents and politicians who are concerned it would damage the local environment.
However the Mayor’s latest submission says there are “no insuperable obstacles” to its construction and that the project is “environmentally feasible”.
Mr Johnson also urges the commission to look at the “bigger picture” and consider the need to accommodate London’s growing population when deciding how best to increase air capacity. Under his plans Heathrow would be redeveloped with 80,000 homes built on the site.
Mayor Johnson, said: “The Airports Commission has been asked to consider a subject that is of vital importance to our country’s prosperity and place in the world.
“It is not a small matter and their work will have ramifications for decades to come. That is why it is crucial their considerations take into account the future requirements of this country in 40 or even 50 years time. We must ensure that the final outcome is not one that future generations will regret.”