The airport would be built partially on reclaimed land with the approach over water. The government understandably want to examine the feasibility of these controversial plans for the airport in the Thames Estuary with announcement due in March.
No decision has yet been made however the government are keen for the UK to maintain their status as an aviation hub. Other alternatives include expanding Heathrow.
Wildlife
With the airport being proposed to be built on reclaimed land on either a peninsula or an island there are concerns about the damage to the environment. Campaigners say the area is very important to wildlife especially migrating birds. Populations of breeding birds such as marsh harriers and avocets use the area and therefore it should be protected.
The Prime Minister is said to support Boris Johnson’s plans to expand Heathrow, however is keen to see what the feasibility study shows. Other studies show that London is expected to see an increase in demand for flights from its current 140 million passengers per year to 400 million by 2050.
BAA has praised the government for recognising the need for expansion. However he warned that London can’t have two aviation hubs and a new airport could see Heathrow becoming smaller which would impact on jobs.
Any airport in the Thames Estuary could well be decades away and there are questions about affordability. However Boris Johnson believes that cost should not be an issue and there would be plenty of ready investors available. The real problem would lie in the infrastructure in connecting the airport to the rest of London via road and rail.
Mr Johnson also believes that expanding Heathrow would be the wrong thing given the problems faced by residents living in west London. He went on to say that it would be impossible for London to compete for flights with France and Germany to the developing countries if we don’t plan now.
The debate will continue for some time to come which will involve many options like expanding Gatwick or Stansted.