Boris Johnson’s plans for a new airport for London

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by Lin Freestone

The Mayor of London is to initiate a feasibility study into the provision of a new 24-hour airport in the Thames estuary, which could avoid the controversial expansion of Heathrow.

All alternatives to the expansion of Heathrow will be explored. A major airport in the Thames Gateway area east of London, built on an artificial island off Sheppey, could solve many of the environmental and political arguments associated with Heathrow’s expansion. It is increasingly evident that Heathrow is in the wrong place and will never adequately meet the demands of future air travel.

The owner of Heathrow, BAA, has just placed Gatwick Airport on the market in response to a Competition Commission report which flagged up the disposal of at least one of its airports in the London area. The government is due to make a decision by the end of this year on the proposed expansion of Heathrow and the provision of a third runway.

Early indications are that an artificial island in the Thames could accommodate four, and possibly six, runways. Passengers would travel to and from the airport on a new fast train network, which could also be integrated with the existing high-speed Channel tunnel rail link.

It has been speculated that the airport could be built in six years, with gradual phasing from one airport to the other. It is ultimately envisaged that Heathrow could be transformed into a high-tech business and residential development.

A preliminary review of the initial thinking has already been conducted and a more detailed feasibility study, involving an engineering consultancy, is now being implemented.