Proposed Thames Estuary Airport

[shagbat]

It is with great sadness that I find this subject has reared its ugly and potentially devastating, head again.
We know Boris Johnson is an unthinking fool, with no concept of the what the consequences could be to the wealth of wildlife in the area, so, what can we do?
Who can we turn to?
It must be nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
Your comments please.
This is my first 'new thread', so please excuse any naivety on my part.
Regards,
Shagbat.

[Wild-Man]

I wouldn't worry too much about his idea. I can't ever see it getting underway, cos as a construction project, it would be probably the most expensive and difficult job this country had ever undertaken. In my opinion, it's a total non-starter. I'm more concerned that this is now going to open up the debate re Cliffe again.

Chris.

[pressld2]

That's what worries me too Chris. When all the experts point out just how technically difficult and incredibly expensive the estuary plan is, they'll just use that as justification for doing it at Cliffe or somewhere similar instead.

Personally I'm not convinced that the extra capacity is even needed.

Dave P.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Personally I'm not convinced that the extra capacity is even needed.

Dave P.

Yes indeed. Infact we have a niece that works for a well known air line and she can confirm that there are lots of aircraft taking off not full to capacity, just so long as they take off in there allotted 'slot'. That needs to be addressed before even considering extentions and outrageous plans for a whole new airport anywhere in the country, not just Kent.
PS If it did go ahead, you'd see me being arrested!

[brendaward]

Totally agree with you Wild Woman, we have no need for anymore airports. As the energy crisis looms less people will take to the skies. Journeys by plane will be a once in a lifetime thing or VIP business only. With impact on wildlife and human life that is the way it should be.

[alge]

Crazy Idea supported by a fool who neither lives in Kent or Essex (or maybe thats the smoke screen he wants). If he did live in either he may see the True value of Manston (an existing airport) which is woefully under utilised and could provide employment for many in one of the most impoverished areas in northern europe especially with a new crossing. Typical london centric thinking before we even consider the potential impacts on both resident wildlife and migrating birds.

Cliffe is too frightening to consider you guys are right to mention what may be the real agenda here.

Boris be warned we know deep down your not really that stupid i hope you dont underestimate the depth of feeling on this matter locally.

alex

[Adam Cheeseman]

Technicalities and threats to birds aside, what about the other way round when you consider how many thousands of birds use the North Kent and Essex coasts in winter. The potential amount of airstrikes that would happen would be quite phenomenal I'd imagine, especially given the wanderings of huge numbers of gulls across the estuary and up and downstream to places such as Rainham and the likes. Does Boris imagine that the great unwashed masses will do like Chairman Mao instructed and stand outside to make as much noise as possible to scare away the birds?

[Gill Catton]

I do hope this is a red herring.... I too think the infrastructure problems and bird strike risk together would scupper the idea. The risk is they are using it to draw attention away from airport expansion elsewhere and make their actual preferred site look less damaging when compared with the Cliffe/ Thames Estuary.

[Wild-Woman]

Aside everthing else that has been said, I wonder if they have considered the sunken World War 2 ammunition boat that is well....smack in the middle of the estuary with enough ammo left on it to wipe out Sheerness if it was destabilised in any way.Imagine a plane making a Hudson River type landing. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Boris- get a life, and keep your unwanted nose out of the Estuary (or anywhere else).

[alge]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Aside everthing else that has been said, I wonder if they have considered the sunken World War 2 ammunition boat that is well....smack in the middle of the estuary with enough ammo left on it to wipe out Sheerness if it was destabilised in any way.Imagine a plane making a Hudson River type landing. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Boris- get a life, and keep your unwanted nose out of the Estuary (or anywhere else).

Good point I'd hadn't made that connection, if the wreck is no longer a concern surely we (residents of north kent and essex) would have been told.