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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 "wind down" Heathrow and focus on a 24-hour airport off Isle of Sheppey in Kent. 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 is one of the busiest airports in the world and handles more than 500,000 take-offs and landings a year. 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 studyFeasibility 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.