London Mayor Boris Johnson may support a legal challenge against Heathrow’s expansion because of his preference for a new airport off the Kent coast.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced on Thursday that the Government had approved controversial plans for a third runway despite widespread opposition from residents, environmentalists and MPs.
Mr Johnson has been a vocal opponent of the scheme, and feels the option of a new airport off the Isle of Sheppey has not yet been fully explored.
At a transport question-and-answer session just hours before the Heathrow announcement was made, he told MPs the environmental impact on the Thames Estuary would not be as bad as that created by a new runway at Heathrow.
He said: “I want to make it clear to everybody that there might be other solutions, and it would be remiss of us to ignore them.
“Wherever, they will be considerably less damaging than expanding London’s major international airport in the west of London. That is not the way to go.
“Any solution, including the Thames Estuary airport, has got to be better than that.”
Sittingbourne and Sheppey Labour MP Derek Wyatt and Kent County Council leader Paul Carter are two of many who have condemned Mr Johnson’s plans.
The RSPB also voiced its disapproval of the idea when it was suggested last September, saying it would be “the single biggest piece of environmental vandalism” ever perpetrated in the UK.
However, there was a glimmer of hope that Mr Johnson could change his mind about the proposals when he indicated on Thursday that another possible alternative to a third runway at Heathrow could be to place more reliance on Kent International Airport at Manston.
The comments were welcomed by Cllr Carter, who became mired in controversy last November when he announced at a business meeting that Mr Johnson had agreed to drop his support for a Thames Estuary airport.
The mayor later claimed he had agreed no such thing.
Cllr Carter said on Friday: “I have had very constructive discussions with Boris Johnson and his officers, and I quite understand he does not want another runway at Heathrow.
“However, we do not want a Thames Estuary airport.
“I do support making the best use of our existing airports in the South East, such as Luton and Stansted, and welcome the opportunity of Kent International being turned into a significant regional hub.
“When high-speed domestic rail services between Ramsgate and London start at the end of the year, it will dramatically reduce travel times to and from the capital, making the airport an attractive option.”
Regardless of whether or not Mr Johnson lends his support to Manston, higher-ups at the airport say the approval of Heathrow’s third runway will not affect their own future expansion plans.
A KIA spokesman said: “The decision recognises the importance of aviation to the UK economy and will ensure Heathrow’s position as a leading airport is maintained.
“However, we believe the existing runway here at Kent International has a significant role to play in alleviating the well-documented capacity problems in the South East, especially with the work at Heathrow not set to begin until 2015.”
Kent International owner Infratil wants to build a new terminal at the airport and extend its existing runway, with hopes of seeing two million passengers using it per year by 2011.
Meanwhile, homeowners in Dartford were handed a reprieve when the Government announced it was ditching plans for “mixed mode” operations that would have meant all-day take-offs and landings at Heathrow.
Had the proposals gone ahead, flight paths would have been moved eight miles further from the airport and therefore over the town.
But Medway councillor Geoff Ruby warned people living in Cliffe that the Heathrow approval did not mean they were safe from the possibility of a new airport being built in their back yards.
He said: “The airport lobbyists have tasted blood and will be back for more.
“We must persuade the Government to change its policy, which caters to a predicted ever-increasing demand, or we will be fighting them on our doorsteps very soon.”
POSTED: 18/01/2009 08:00:00
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