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Boris Island airport plan 'to be rejected' Boris Island airport plan 'to be rejected'
(34 minutes later)
A plan for an island airport in the Thames estuary will be rejected, the BBC understands.A plan for an island airport in the Thames estuary will be rejected, the BBC understands.
In response, an advisor to London mayor Boris Johnson, Daniel Moylan, said if true, it is "sadly short-sighted".In response, an advisor to London mayor Boris Johnson, Daniel Moylan, said if true, it is "sadly short-sighted".
Known as "Boris Island" because of Mr Johnson's backing, it was one option being considered by the Airports Commission on how to expand airport capacity in the UK.Known as "Boris Island" because of Mr Johnson's backing, it was one option being considered by the Airports Commission on how to expand airport capacity in the UK.
An official announcement is expected on Tuesday.An official announcement is expected on Tuesday.
"Airports policy has been stalled for nearly five decades, ricocheting like a billiard ball between Heathrow and Gatwick," said Mr Moylan."Airports policy has been stalled for nearly five decades, ricocheting like a billiard ball between Heathrow and Gatwick," said Mr Moylan.
He added that the final decision would rest with the government. "The key question now is whether the Airports Commission will play much of a role," he added. "We have only one opportunity to break out of that but it seems the Commission has taken us back to the same old failed choice."
The commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, was set up by the government to consider ways of expanding the UK's airport capacity. Its final report is expected next summer. He added that the final decision would rest with the government. "The key question now is whether the Airports Commission will play much of a role," he continued.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Whitehall sources had confirmed the "Boris island" plan would be ruled out. Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Whitehall sources had confirmed the "Boris Island" plan would be ruled out.
'Maximise links'
The commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, was set up by the government to consider ways of expanding the UK's airport capacity. Its final report is expected next summer, after the general election.
The decision to eliminate Boris Island as an option would leave the commission with three alternatives: Adding a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, and a new runway at Gatwick.The decision to eliminate Boris Island as an option would leave the commission with three alternatives: Adding a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, and a new runway at Gatwick.
"By excluding the Thames Estuary airport option, the Airports Commission has made the right choice on the basis of robust evidence", said Chris Richards from the manufacturers' organisation the EEF.
Before the decision about "Boris Island" emerged, the CBI business lobby group said that a single, larger-hub airport where passengers can transfer to a range of destinations was "critical" to the UK's long-term economic growth.
The CBI urged the commission to ensure its decision "maximised links across the UK" and made the "best use of existing capacity".
"While no-one can predict the future of air travel, the track record shows that it tends to be hub airports that deliver the new connections to emerging markets that we desperately need," said CBI deputy general Katja Hall.