Anti-airport campaign reaches House of Commons
by Alan McGuinness
Opponents of an airport in the Thames
Estuary have taken their campaign to the House of Commons.
Groups including Friends of the North
Kent Marshes and RSPB put their case against the idea and discussed
where the campaign goes next at a reception yesterday.
It was hosted by MPs on opposite sides
of the Thames Estuary - Mark Reckless, who represents
Rochester and Strood, and Southend West MP David Amess.
George Crozer, from Friends of the
North Kent Marshes, said: "The Thames Estuary has more protection
on it than any of the nine national parks.
"We need to put it in the hearts and
minds of people."
The government is set to consult on
the idea of a Thames Estuary airport this summer after years of
speculation.
Three sites have been proposed: the
Isle of Grain, Cliffe and two artificial islands in the estuary -
dubbed Boris Island.
Supporters of the project argue it
will bring sorely needed jobs and investment to the area.
Opponents, who include councillors and
MPs as well as environmental groups, claim it would cost too much
money and cause untold environmental damage.
The idea has been on the agenda numerous times since the 1940s,
most recently 10 years ago when the Labour government consulted on
building an airport at Cliffe.
27/04/12
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