Airport blue's return

It seems that the issue of an airport on the Thames Estuary has returned with a vengeance this week as the Conservative Party Mayor, Boris JOhnson garnered the support of the top 100 CEO's from British Business.

A very worrying development which services to highlight the fact the campaign being managed locally by political colleagues of the Conservative mayor is achieving very little.

Medway Labour have consistently opposed the Tory airport plan, both in the Council chamber and in support of local activists on the Peninsula

Though exact locations have not been fully specified in his proposals, Cliffe, Southend or an island in the Estuary remain favoured locations for the Mayor of London.

Arguing for the potential airport in the Thames Estuary, Boris Johnson stated that the idea was “fantastically economically powerful”, and that failure to support proposals would be a “historic mistake”; a view that received the support of the CEO Conference members, including the chairman of the International Airlines Group, which includes BA and Iberia Airlines.

The plans seem increasingly needless given the recent announcement that low-fare airline easyJet is to begin operating flights from Southend airport in Essex from April 2012, where a multimillion-pound terminal will open this autumn. It is expected to run over 70 flights a week, which through its proximity will likely result in more air traffic and noise pollution for Kent and Medway.

This blog is frustrated by the need to repeat to Conservative, Boris Johnson that there is resolutely no local support for his idea. Successive government reports have shown the area to be inappropriate for such a scheme.

Time and time again it has been put to the Conservative Party Mayor of London that the site is not suitable, and any such development would cause significant damage both to the natural environment, and to the lives of local residents.

Additionally, and most importantly there is a total lack of unity in the message from the Conservative party. On the one hand we have David Cameron affirming at Prime Minister’s Questions only earlier this year that he has no plans for such an airport, while on the other hand, Boris Johnson is publishing detailed reports in favour, and organising meetings with big business to discuss his proposals.

As Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Paul Godwin has stated before:

“This continued uncertainty hanging over Medway residents, particularly on the peninsular, is a blight perpetrated by Boris Johnson.”

“We did, and still do, oppose any plans to build an airport in the Thames Estuary or on the Hoo peninsular. Not only would an airport have negative consequences for the environment, but also the blight caused for local residents is totally unacceptable.”

“I am, therefore calling upon the coalition government to comprehensively dismiss Boris Johnson’s plans. At a time of such stringent public expenditure cutbacks, it belies reason that £40 billion should be spent on a new airport - particularly in an area already rejected by the previous Government as totally unsuitable”

Could not put it better myself