Thames Estuary Airport 'Boris Island

September 1, 2014 by Joanna Harrison

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has welcomed the news that the Airports Commission has rejected the idea of a Thames Estuary airport.

The Council had previously submitted objections to the airport plan, as had Essex County Council, Medway Borough Council and Kent County Council.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Leader, Councillor Ron Woodley said: “It seems that everyone in the world, apart from the Mayor of London, recognised that the so-called ‘Boris Island’ in the Thames Estuary was not a suitable place for an airport. “There would be so many obstacles to overcome before it could ever be developed, and it would not have benefitted Southend-on-Sea one iota.

It would had led to the closure of our thriving airport here in Southend which is attracting even more visitors and businesses and is not only a big catalyst for the regeneration of the Borough but a great boost to our local economy.

“I am pleased that the Airports Commission has now rejected this idea and I hope that the Government focuses on delivering sustainable growth at regional airports like Southend while investing in a sensible long term solution that the UK economy needs.”