Tag Archives: thames estuary airport

Mary Reid

The Airports Commission says ‘no’ to a Thames estuary airport, but Boris hasn’t given up

By Mary Reid | Tue 2nd September 2014 - 1:04 pm

borisislandBoris Johnson’s proposal for a new London airport on the Isle of Grain in the inner Thames estuary, to replace Heathrow, is not dead in the water despite being rejected by the Airports Commission. The Commission’s decision on the proposal was published today.

Whilst acknowledging that a new (‘ITE’) airport on the Thames estuary would provide extra capacity and improve noise impact, the report cites the loss of protected habitats, the issues with being sited next to a Liquid Natural Gas storage facility, plus the costs of infrastructure, housing and access improvements. The cost of the airport could be anything from £67 billion to £120 billion depending on whether it had three or four runways.

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Posted in News | Also tagged and | 16 Comments
Stephen Tall

Airport expansion: 73% of Lib Dem members want to see it – but opinion divided on where it should happen

By Stephen Tall | Sun 11th May 2014 - 10:30 am

Airport terminalLib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum  to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 830 party members responded – thank you – and we’re publishing the full results.

37% want London airport expansion; 36% want no-London airport expansion; 21% want no airport expansion

There is currently a discussion about how to expand airport capacity in the UK to meet future demand for air travel. Which one of the following do you think is the best option?

11% – Expand Heathrow airport

16% – Expand one or more of the other existing London airports (e.g. London Gatwick, Luton or Stansted)

10% – Build a new airport in the Thames Estuary to the east of London

36% – Expand other UK airports outside of London/the South East

21% – None of these – I would not like to see any expansion of the UK’s airport capacity

6% – Don’t know

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Posted in LDV Members poll | Also tagged , , , and | 20 Comments
Catherine Bearder MEP

Catherine Bearder MEP writes…The simple Lib Dem approach to aviation

By Catherine Bearder MEP | Mon 10th September 2012 - 11:54 am

Why was I not surprised?

The knee-jerk, short-sighted reaction of Tory backbenchers to dwindling airport capacity was simple: Bung another runway onto the sprawling tarmac at Heathrow.

The airport already pumps out pollution and noise affecting hundreds of thousands of people and a moment’s respite lasts 90 seconds until the next jet swoops from the skies.

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged and | 58 Comments
Jonathan Hunt

Opinion: Chocks away for a green flight to the estuary

By Jonathan Hunt | Thu 6th September 2012 - 10:14 am

I hate airports. Far too much of my life has been wasted in them. I especially hate Heathrow. It is a truly awful place to get to and spend time in; a choking, noisy, gridlocked example of unplanned, unfettered airborne and urban sprawl. It has outlived any pretension of social usefulness. A rise in aircraft movements by a third or more means unmitigated misery for millions.

There is much to sympathise with in the macho-green conference motion, proclaiming a pox on all your runways and terminals. But such is the inexorable rise in international business that, if Britain is to live by global trade, to say nothing …

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Posted in Op-eds | 39 Comments
Chris Sams

Opinion: Time to take a stand on “Boris Island”

By Chris Sams | Wed 11th July 2012 - 7:01 pm

Local politics in the south-east of England, especially in North Kent and London, has been dominated by the proposed HUB airport, it was a key issue in the Mayoral debate, especially for residents of the Medway towns. London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson is pushing for a new airport either on the Isle of Grain where there is an RSPB sanctuary on marshland that was portrayed in Dickens’ Great Expectations or in the middle of the estuary itself.

It is a story that is hardly out of the local press or local Politicians blogs which is why I was reading a

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Posted in News and Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 16 Comments
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  • User AvatarMark Valladares 12th Aug - 9:11pm
    @ Ruth, Kinder than I possibly deserve, but greatly appreciated. Even bureaucrats need a little kindness sometimes... :) @ David, It is a good question...
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    Firstly the Liberal Democrats already have two MPs who are women of colour - Munira Wilson and Layla Moran. More would be very welcome but...
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    We believe in the decentralisation of power to people and communities. It practice this means devolving power to local government and if possible beyond. It...
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    @peter I do not usually debate with people who are not willing to use their own real names. It is in my view a curse...
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    Catherine. I share your thoughts about too many 'Glossy Leaflets' but because they are often poorly produced by people mistaking 'shiny, shiny, colour' for quality....