Call to clarify airport position

A local MP has called upon the government to set the record straight over a Thames Estuary airport.

Mark Reckless, the MP for Rochester & Strood, has written to the new Transport Secretary Justine Greening to confirm that the government’s position remains unchanged.

Local sources voiced concerns over the Transport Secretary’s potential stance on Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s proposals for a floating island airport in the estuary or a land-based airport on the peninsula, as she had previously opposed expansion of both Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Her predecessor, Philip Hammond, who took on the role of Defence Secretary following Liam Fox’s resignation last week, had previously assured MPs that the government had no plans to build any new airports in the South East Region.

Boris Johnson had commissioned studies into how best to increase air freight and passenger capacity to allow London to compete with other major world cities.

However, he has indicated that his preference lies in a new hub airport in the Thames estuary which could create thousands of jobs, but which would require a complete overhaul of transport infrastructure and has been met with fierce opposition from Medway Council and local residents.

Mr Reckless said “I know that residents, particularly on the Hoo Peninsula, have been sick of hearing rumours and stories in the press, usually The Sunday Times, about a potential ‘Boris Island’ or similar and I want the record set straight for my constituents once and for all.

“I strongly oppose the idea of a Thames estuary airport and having spoken to many constituents, I know that the vast majority of them do not support it either.”

BAA, who own Heathrow and Stanstead airports, and previously owned Gatwick airport, have launched a big lobbying campaign, coinciding with the appointment of a new Transport Secretary, solely for expansion at the country’s existing hub airport of Heathrow.