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Thames Estuary Airport NOT the way forward according to new report

Foster+Partners' plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary
Foster+Partners' plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary

by political editor Paul Francis

A £40bn hub airport in the Thames Estuary is not the way to solve the country's shortage of aviation capacity, according to a top level report commissioned by council and business chiefs in the south east.

Consultants who were asked to examine how best to improve capacity in the region say it would be better to expand existing airports - and controversially concludes that a third runway at Heathrow "is probably the best option for long term hub capacity growth" as it would be cheaper than building a new airport in north Kent.

There have been recent reports that the government is re-examining the case for a third runway at Heathrow.

The findings are made in a report for the South East Learning and Enterprise Partnership, a group of council chiefs and businesses whose job is to create jobs and investment in the region. It casts serious doubt on the plans by both Boris Johnson and Lord Foster for a new airport.

The report by Parsons Brinkerhoff Ltd says that while a new airport in the Thames Estuary would be a solution if starting from scratch and the idea makes "perfect sense", it would be better to "build on what we have" given the costs and investment already made in Heathrow and Gatwick.

It states: "While this is a grand and ambitious scheme, we do not believe it is a viable solution to the capacity issues facing the south east. At present, with the range of arguments against the hub airport, we cannot see how this would ever be delivered."

The report found that expanding the use of oher airports serving the south east, including Stansted, Southend and Manston, could address short term business needs.

It also said there was "significant potential" that would be available by increasing the number of flights allowed from Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports and argues for the development of a "two airport hub" between Heathrow and Gatwick or Heathrow and Stantsed.

It also suggests both Manston and Lydd airports could take more freight transport.

Jon Spence, chairman of the South East LEP, said: "As the country's economic powerhouse the south east needs a transport infrastructure that helps business grow and flourish. This report shows us that business traffic is already being lost to the UK.

"We do not believe that a hub airport in the Thames Estuary is a viable short or medium term solution. It is vitally important that the government look at the capacity issues at Heathrow and Gatwick to address the situation now."

The study acknowledges the UK is falling behind its competitors because of the lack of aviation capacity, saying: "We simply cannnot afford to lose another decade where none of the tough choices are made."

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