Tory Council Attacks Johnson for Airport Plans

Tory council chiefs are attacking Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, for his plans to construct on airport on the Thames Estuary. The project,unofficially known as Boris Island, has been called a “pie in the sky” in a feasibility report conducted by the Medway council.

The report indicates that attempting to place a terminal 60 miles from the city is the equivalent of moving the Manchester Airport to Leeds. Mayor Johnson is attempting to replace Heathrow as the UK’s main international airport by constructing the man-made island which would accommodate up to six runways situated two miles of the Thames in Kent.

Currently, the £40 billion scheme is being looked into by a Thames Estuary steering group, but environmentalists have already dismissed the plans as being unfeasible and irresponsible.

Another issue with the project is that the plans would call for the airport to be built outside of London. Many have raised doubts that Boris Johnson has the jurisdiction to build structures outside of London using city funds.

The move has other issues including aircraft safety. The report indicates that building runways in the Estuary, a popular habitat for local avian populations, would put airplanes at a greater risk for bird strikes. It is also believed that the airport would be environmental irresponsible.

Council leader for the Tories, Rodney Chambers said that the report shows that the risks are greater than the rewards and that it failed to mention whether or not there was a want or need for this type of airport.