Britannia Airport London

Designs and details of how a Thames estuary airport would work have been unveiled at the House of Lords.  London Britannia Airport, the proposed six-runway 24-hour structure formerly known as Boris Island, would cost £47.3bn.  The consortium behind the scheme claims it could be built within seven years once the go-head is given.  (see also COMMENT and Heathrow is advertised)

A spokeswoman said a key point was "separating people from planes" by giving passengers the benefit of air travel but without noise because all aircraft landing and departures would be over the estuary rather than residential areas.

Testrad (Thames Estuary Research and Development), claims that the island scheme avoided the problems of other land-based airport developments.  Backed by Transport for London it involves partners including architecture, marine, environment, transport and aviation experts, she said.

The consortium has said that although Heathrow would probably have to close, the opportunities for new housing, employment and economic regeneration were huge.

Passenger check-in and arrival terminals would be at Ebbsfleet next to the high speed rail link and at King's Cross railway station in London.

Medway, Kent and Southend councils, nature and environmental campaigners have opposed the estuary airport plans.  Airline people say that it is replicating Narita, the out of town Tokyo Airport, deemed a failure.  www.testrad.co.uk   www.gensler.com

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