9:49am Tuesday 18th January 2011
MAYOR of London Boris Johnson is once again looking at plans to expand London’s air base into the Thames Estuary.
A new report overseen by Transport for Londondeputy chairman Daniel Moylan and released today has Mr Johnson’s backing.
The report calls for a new hub airport to be created in south-east England so that the UK can remain a competitive air base.
Although the exact location of the airport has not been decided, the Thames Estuary may still be considered.
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The report said that the number of destinations accessible from Heathrow is 157, compared to 224 from Paris Charles de Gaulle and 235 from Frankfurt.
The report also said that Heathrow is handling up to 75,000 more passengers than it was built for every day.
Mr Johnson said: "No other city even approaches the volume of passengers handled at London's airports but we need to start planning for a brand new airport that can help meet the ever-increasing demand for aviation and act as a hub, particularly to the rest of the UK."
London Assembly Green Party member Darren Johnson said: "There has been significant opposition to this idea from local people, politicians and from environmental campaigners.
"The mayor would better represent Londoners' interests by pushing for investment in alternatives to aviation, such as improved and more affordable rail services."
The last proposals for an airport in the area concentrated on the Hoo Peninsula, which is home to some 300,000 birds.
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