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Mayor has 'no plans' for airport Mayor has 'no plans' for airport
(about 1 hour later)
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said there are no plans to build an airport in the middle of the Thames Estuary.Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said there are no plans to build an airport in the middle of the Thames Estuary.
The mayor included the proposal in his 2008 election manifesto but appeared to have altered his stance during an appearance on the BBC's Question Time.The mayor included the proposal in his 2008 election manifesto but appeared to have altered his stance during an appearance on the BBC's Question Time.
During Thursday's broadcast Mr Johnson said: "I don't want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary."During Thursday's broadcast Mr Johnson said: "I don't want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary."
But his office has since issued a statement saying he was referring to there being "no actual plans in place".But his office has since issued a statement saying he was referring to there being "no actual plans in place".
Mr Johnson has previously supported the £40bn facility, which he proposed should be built off the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent, and which has been dubbed "Boris Island".Mr Johnson has previously supported the £40bn facility, which he proposed should be built off the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent, and which has been dubbed "Boris Island".
Contradicting Cameron 'Contradicting Cameron'
In a document circulated to his senior colleagues, and subsequently seen by the BBC, he told them that building the airport could be "the single biggest... and bravest project we do".In a document circulated to his senior colleagues, and subsequently seen by the BBC, he told them that building the airport could be "the single biggest... and bravest project we do".
In January, however, Conservative leader David Cameron told the BBC that building a four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary was not among his party's plans if it won the general election.In January, however, Conservative leader David Cameron told the BBC that building a four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary was not among his party's plans if it won the general election.
On Thursday night, Question Time host David Dimbleby suggested to Mr Johnson that his support for the airport was an example of him contradicting Mr Cameron's policies.On Thursday night, Question Time host David Dimbleby suggested to Mr Johnson that his support for the airport was an example of him contradicting Mr Cameron's policies.
Mr Johnson replied by denying he wanted to build the airport, but a statement issued by his office on Friday appeared to clarify his position.Mr Johnson replied by denying he wanted to build the airport, but a statement issued by his office on Friday appeared to clarify his position.
A multi-million pound, six runway airport is not something to flip-flop over. Val Shawcross,Vice-chair, London Assembly transport committee
It said: "The mayor was referring to the fact that there are no actual plans in place to build an airport.It said: "The mayor was referring to the fact that there are no actual plans in place to build an airport.
"However he believes the complex and critical decisions on Britain's aviation future require mature exploration of every possible option."However he believes the complex and critical decisions on Britain's aviation future require mature exploration of every possible option.
"He has set up a steering group whose role is to oversee further study and research on issues in the estuary such as energy, flood management, transport, ecology and regeneration."He has set up a steering group whose role is to oversee further study and research on issues in the estuary such as energy, flood management, transport, ecology and regeneration.
"Their research will be invaluable when deciding if a new airport there could meet London's future needs.""Their research will be invaluable when deciding if a new airport there could meet London's future needs."
Labour's transport spokesperson and vice-chair of the London Assembly's transport committee, Val Shawcross, said: "There is real confusion about the mayor's aviation plans and a multi-million pound, six-runway airport is not something to flip-flop over.
"We know that he is thinking of spending taxpayers' money on this which would be bizarre if it's not something he wants to do.
"Going into an election, Londoners deserve to know what the Conservative's plans are. Do they want this environmentally ruinous idea to go ahead or not? For once Boris should give us a straight answer."
The proposals have been condemned by Kent County Council, Medway Council, business leaders and environmentalists.The proposals have been condemned by Kent County Council, Medway Council, business leaders and environmentalists.