Roberta Aguirre
The Thames Estuary Airport, also known as Boris Island, is a proposed airport in the Thames Estuary to the east of London. The idea of an airport in the Thames Estuary has been discussed since the 1940s, with various locations proposed, including Maplin Sands, Cliffe, and the Isle of Grain in Kent. The project has been supported by figures such as former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who championed the idea of an airport on two artificial islands in the Thames Estuary. The Thames Hub Airport proposal, submitted by Foster+Partners, envisioned a platform-based airport with four runways and a handling capacity of 110 million passengers per annum. However, the proposal was rejected in 2014 due to cost concerns and potential environmental damage. Despite the advantages claimed for an airport in the Thames Estuary, there are also economic and political considerations that have made the decision challenging for planners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Airport | Thames Hub Airport |
| Nickname | "Boris Island" |
| Location | Isle of Grain in Kent |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Handling Capacity | 110 million passengers per annum (mppa), expandable to 150 mppa |
| Capital Costs | £20 billion for the airport, £20 billion for the rail line, £6 billion for the barrier crossing, £4 billion for improving infrastructure |
| Year of Proposal | 2011 |
| Year of Expected Opening | 2029 |
| Proponents | Business lobby groups, Aviation Industry, London Mayor Boris Johnson, Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse |
| Opposition | Labour group transport spokeswoman Val Shawcross, London architecture firm Farrells |
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What You'll Learn
The Thames Hub Airport proposal
One of the key advantages of the Thames Hub Airport proposal was its potential to reduce noise and air pollution. Aircraft would predominantly approach the airport over water, reducing the number of people impacted by noise. Additionally, aircraft emissions would be blown out to sea by prevailing westerly winds, improving air quality. The airport would also provide an opportunity to redevelop the Heathrow site for housing and commercial purposes.
Another challenge was the crowded airspace in the proposed location, with Richard Deakin, the head of National Air Traffic Services, expressing doubts about the suitability of the site. In addition, the Met Office concluded that an airport in the Thames Estuary would be three times more likely to be affected by fog than Heathrow. Despite the persistent support of London Mayor Boris Johnson, who championed the idea, the proposal was ultimately rejected by the Airports Commission in September 2014.
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The Marinair proposal
The idea for Marinair was developed in the years prior to 1990 by Covell Matthews Partnership, and a Thames Estuary Airport Company Ltd was established to manage the project, under the direction of A. E. T. Matthews, Managing Director. The proposal was revived in 2008 by the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who suggested a location further east towards the Shivering Sands area, northeast of Whitstable. Johnson's support for a Thames Estuary Airport caused concern within his own party, with some distancing themselves from the idea.
The Thames Hub Airport proposal, developed by Foster + Partners, Halcrow, and Volterra, was another plan for an airport in the Thames Estuary. It envisioned a platform-based hub airport with four runways, located on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The airport would have had a handling capacity of 110 million passengers per annum, expandable to 150 million. The Thames Hub Airport proposal was submitted to the UK's Airports Commission in July 2013 but was ultimately rejected in September 2014 due to cost and environmental concerns.
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London's hub airport capacity
To address this issue, various proposals for a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary, east of London, have been put forward since the 1940s. The idea of an estuary airport gained traction in the 1970s, with the Maplin Development Act 1973 enabling the construction of an airport at Maplin Sands. However, the project was cancelled in 1974.
In 2011, Lord Foster, an architect, launched the Thames Hub proposal, envisioning an integrated infrastructure development in the Thames Estuary. The proposal included a high-speed rail line, a combined road and rail crossing, a flood protection barrier, and a platform-based hub airport located on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The airport would have had four runways and a capacity of 110 million passengers per annum, expandable to 150 million. The estimated cost of the airport was £20 billion, with additional infrastructure improvements costing up to £10 billion.
Another notable proposal for the Thames Estuary Airport, nicknamed "Boris Island", was championed by former London Mayor Boris Johnson. This proposal suggested building an airport on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary, similar to the design of Hong Kong International Airport. The London Britannia Airport proposal, unveiled in 2013, envisioned a six-runway airport with a capacity of 150 million passengers per year. However, this proposal was rejected by the airport commission in 2014 due to its high cost of £47.3 billion and potential environmental impact.
While the Thames Estuary Airport proposals offer potential solutions to London's hub airport capacity issues, they also face challenges. Economic considerations, environmental concerns, and political factors have played a role in the ongoing debate. As London's aviation infrastructure continues to strain under capacity constraints, finding a viable solution to expand hub airport capacity remains a critical task for the city and the UK's aviation sector.
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Environmental considerations
The idea of building an airport in the Thames Estuary has been floated several times since the 1940s. Various locations have been proposed, including Maplin Sands off Foulness, Cliffe, the Isle of Grain, and artificial islands located off the Isle of Sheppey.
Despite the many advantages of an airport in the Thames Estuary, there are several environmental considerations that must be taken into account.
Firstly, the construction of an airport in the Thames Estuary would require significant investment in local infrastructure, including roads, railways, schools, and hospitals, to accommodate the tens of thousands of employees at a major airport. This could have environmental implications in terms of land use and potential disruption to natural habitats.
Secondly, there is the issue of fog, which could lead to flight cancellations. The Met Office concluded that a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary would be three times more likely to be affected by fog than Heathrow. This could have environmental implications in terms of increased fuel consumption and carbon emissions from aircraft attempting to land or take off in foggy conditions.
Thirdly, there is a risk of bird strike, which is higher for coastal sites. This could have environmental implications in terms of bird conservation and protection.
Fourthly, the construction of an airport in the Thames Estuary could impact sensitive habitats, fish, and water quality. This is particularly relevant given the presence of designated habitats in the area, such as the Wallasea Island in Essex and Salt Fleet Flats in Kent.
Finally, while the Thames Hub Airport proposal included a comprehensive environmental management strategy and the potential for tidal power generation, it was ultimately rejected by the Airports Commission due to the potential for environmental damage and the high costs associated with the project.
In conclusion, while the idea of a Thames Estuary Airport has been considered for many years, there are significant environmental considerations that must be carefully evaluated before any plans can progress. The potential impacts on local infrastructure, bird life, habitats, water quality, and fog disruption would all need to be thoroughly assessed and addressed to ensure the project does not cause unacceptable environmental harm.
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Economic considerations
The idea of a Thames Estuary Airport has been discussed since the 1940s, with various proposals put forward. However, economic considerations have been a significant factor in the decision-making process, and they have so far ruled out the construction of a new coastal airport.
One of the primary economic considerations is the cost of building a new airport. The Thames Hub Airport proposal, for example, was estimated to cost up to £100 billion. This includes the cost of the airport itself, which is estimated at £20 billion for a new 150-million-passenger estuary airport, as well as the cost of associated infrastructure, such as a £20 billion four-track orbital rail line, a £6 billion barrier crossing, and £4 billion for improving other infrastructure. While it has been suggested that the project could be privately funded, the high cost remains a significant factor in the decision-making process.
Another economic consideration is the potential impact on existing airports, particularly Heathrow. Heathrow is London's largest and only hub airport, and it has been operating at almost full capacity since 1993. Building a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary could provide much-needed additional capacity and improve London's hub airport status. However, critics argue that expanding Heathrow or other existing airports, such as Gatwick and Stansted, could be a cheaper and more efficient solution. Closing Heathrow, as proposed by the London Britannia Airport scheme, would also result in the loss of jobs and have a significant economic impact on the surrounding area.
The economic impact of a Thames Estuary Airport on the wider region must also be considered. Proponents of the Thames Hub proposal argue that it would maximise Britain's trade links with the rest of the world, stimulate job creation, and boost the economies of the Midlands and the North by providing direct connections to European cities and markets. However, critics argue that the project is "pie in the sky", and that the money could be better spent on other infrastructure projects.
In conclusion, while the economic considerations of building a Thames Estuary Airport are complex and multifaceted, cost has been the primary factor in ruling out the project so far. The high price tag, potential impact on existing airports, and uncertain economic benefits have made decision-makers cautious about committing to such a significant project.
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Frequently asked questions
The Isle of Grain in Kent.
The idea of an airport in the Thames Estuary has been discussed since the 1970s. The proposal has been supported by London Mayor Boris Johnson and former Crossrail chairman Doug Oakervee.
An airport in the Thames Estuary would avoid flights having to fly over densely populated areas, reducing noise pollution. It would also provide 24-hour flight operations and improve the UK's aviation hub status.
The project would be costly and cause environmental damage. It would also result in job losses at Heathrow and potentially impact birdlife in the area.
