This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7627926.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mayor considers 'island airport' | Mayor considers 'island airport' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An airport on an artificial island in the Thames estuary could be the answer to the overcrowding at Heathrow, London's mayor has suggested. | An airport on an artificial island in the Thames estuary could be the answer to the overcrowding at Heathrow, London's mayor has suggested. |
Boris Johnson believes the island solution could put an end to the need for a third runway at Heathrow. | Boris Johnson believes the island solution could put an end to the need for a third runway at Heathrow. |
Officials are looking at plans to reduce air traffic congestion at Heathrow and focus on a 24-hour airport off the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. | |
Heathrow handles more than 500,000 take-offs and landings a year. | |
In his transport manifesto unveiled during the mayoral elections Mr Johnson had described Heathrow as "a planning error of the 1960s", and spoke about a possible new airport in the Thames estuary. | In his transport manifesto unveiled during the mayoral elections Mr Johnson had described Heathrow as "a planning error of the 1960s", and spoke about a possible new airport in the Thames estuary. |
Feasibility study | Feasibility study |
A spokesperson for the mayor said: "The Mayor is keen to know what the alternatives are to expansion at Heathrow and would like to know whether the idea of a new airport in the Thames estuary would be viable or not. | A spokesperson for the mayor said: "The Mayor is keen to know what the alternatives are to expansion at Heathrow and would like to know whether the idea of a new airport in the Thames estuary would be viable or not. |
"He therefore wants to undertake a study to establish the feasibility of the idea once and for all and is in the process of examining the best way to take the study forward." | "He therefore wants to undertake a study to establish the feasibility of the idea once and for all and is in the process of examining the best way to take the study forward." |
By the end of this year the government is due to make a decision on proposed expansion of Heathrow. | By the end of this year the government is due to make a decision on proposed expansion of Heathrow. |
Operator BAA has been stressing on the need for expansion saying that Heathrow is "jam-packed" and needs a third runway to remain competitive globally. | Operator BAA has been stressing on the need for expansion saying that Heathrow is "jam-packed" and needs a third runway to remain competitive globally. |
But environmentalists, residents groups and councils opposing the move say the proposed expansion would have a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of homes in the area in terms of air quality and noise levels. | But environmentalists, residents groups and councils opposing the move say the proposed expansion would have a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of homes in the area in terms of air quality and noise levels. |