Boris Island ruled out by Airports Commission
Boris Johnson's plan for island airport in Thames Estuary is a 'huge leap in the dark', says commission
Boris Johnson's proposal for an island airport in the Thames Estuary has been rejected by the commission set up to consider ways of expanding the UK's airport capacity.
The London Mayor has backed a plan to develop a four-runway airport on the Isle of Grain in the Thames Estuary. But the Airports Commission said the proposal, dubbed Boris Island, is unviable because of the cost, economic disruption and environmental issues involved.
Sir Howard Davies, chairman of the Airports Commission, said he had "serious doubts" that it was the right answer to London's and the UK's aviation needs.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He told Sky News: "This would be a huge leap in the dark and we simply don't think it's a practical scheme."
He added that the economic disruption would be "huge" and there are "environmental hurdles which it may prove impossible, or very time-consuming to surmount".
Even the least ambitious version of the plan would cost between £70bn and £90bn, much more than other options, which include a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, and a new runway at Gatwick. The commission has been considering all three options and will make its final recommendation next summer, after the general election.
The Daily Telegraph suggests Boris Johnson might resurrect the battle if he gains a seat in parliament next year. Today, the London Mayor hit back at the Airports Commission, accusing it of setting back the estuary airport debate "by half a century" in "one myopic stroke". Johnson claims that Gatwick is "not a long-term solution" and that a Heathrow expansion would "create unbelievable levels of noise, blight and pollution".
By killing off the Boris Island scheme, the commission will also revive one of the "most bitter policy arguments within the government", says the Financial Times. "The Liberal Democrats are opposed to expanding Heathrow but the Tories – despite having rejected the scheme in 2010 – are increasingly in favour."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Rail strikes: is Britain on track for a ‘summer of discontent’?
Speed Read The ‘biggest rail strike in modern history’ is planned for next week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
‘See it. Say it. Sorted’: is it the end of the line for train announcements?
Speed Read The transport secretary has pledged a ‘bonfire of the banalities’ on England’s railways
By The Week Staff Published
-
UK to bring in airport Covid tests for arrivals
Speed Read MPs call for stricter border measures as South African variant of coronavirus spreads
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
UK records biggest jump in transport use since pandemic began
Speed Read Monday rush hour sees spike in commuters across country as trains return to 90% of pre-coronavirus services
By Gabriel Power Last updated
-
Coronavirus: what are the odds of catching Covid-19 on a plane?
Speed Read Studies suggest air travel is safe despite concerns about air quality
By Holden Frith Last updated
-
Plane crashed ‘as distracted pilots discussed Covid fears’
Speed Read Preliminary report says ‘human error’ to blame for crash in Pakistan that claimed 98 lives
By Aaron Drapkin Last updated
-
Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic tells staff to take unpaid leave
Speed Read Move comes amid warnings that global pandemic could bankrupt aviation industry
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
UK airlines call for multibillion-pound coronavirus bailout
Speed Read Demand comes ahead of ‘bloodiest week in British aviation history’
By The Week Staff Last updated