As well as the two councils, the Mayor’s scheme is opposed by environmental campaigners including the RSPB and key aviation industry players.
The estuary is outside City Hall’s area of control and the Mayor lacks the power or finance to build an airport.
Despite this Johnson has devoted a significant amount of his term of office in making the case for the airport.
This week he warned Britain faces “economic paralysis” unless ministers back his plans, dubbed ‘Boris Island’ by critics.
Writing for this site last March, Medway Council Leader Rodney Chambers said Johnson “can rest assured…our campaign against a Thames Estuary airport will continue until he finally drops his pie in the sky plan.”
External Link: Email campaign site
George Crozer of north kent marshes says
We all know that the government looked at the idea of a hub airport in the Thames estuary back in 2001. After a very expensive government funded study and 150000 no airport at cliffe letters through the door of number 10 they ruled it out.
On environmental grounds! (Same argument today)
The industry didn’t want it ! (Same argument today)
Oh !! And it’s just about the worst place in the country for bird strikes! (Same argument today)
And all that without considering the economic blight that would ensue in west London and around gatwick if a hub airport were built elsewhere?
Do we really need a hub?
Margaret says
My comment to Boris Johnson and his team is LEAVE KENT ALONE. I admit I do not understand a lot about politics, but I do feel for people and Mr Boris and co., do not seem to consider the people of Kent. This is not just about creating jobs or progress. There is a community of people living on the Isle of Grain and nearby. Kent was once called the Garden of England it is FAST BECOMING A GARDEN OF CONCRETE.
George Crozer says
I listen to Theresa Villiers on LBC when she said that the government had no plan to build an airport in the estuary.. I watched george Osbourne on Tuesday when he ruled out the third runway at heathrow.. But did not rule out the estuary option .. What sort of message is government trying to covey ?????
To weaken the habitats directive for sure … Which signals an about turn in policy .
Boris , foster and the rest of us deserve a clear statement about the estuary option … In or out ???