'Boris Island' Dropped

The Airports Commission, which the Government set up to look at airport expansion in London and the South East,  ruled out an Estuary Airport on 2nd September.  That leaves just a 3rd runway at Heathrow and a 2nd runway at Gatwick on the agenda.  The Commission’s final report is due in about a year’s time.

‘Boris Island’ was ruled out on a number of grounds including cost and the problem that Heathrow would need to close.  You can read the Commission’s full report at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inner-thames-estuary-airport-summary-and-decision

Where does this leave the third runway?

Probably not in a very different place than before as an Estuary Airport was always a long shot.  We will continue to campaign alongside our allies to stop a 3rd runway at Heathrow.  These allies will include Boris who remains firm in his opposition to a new runway at Heathrow.

You can read the top 10 reasons to oppose a 3rd runway on the website of HACAN, our sister organisation: http://hacan.org.uk/10-reasons-to-oppose-a-3rd-runway/

Airports Commission: not the final word

The next Government does not need to accept the recommendation of the Airports Commission.  So, even if the Commission does recommend a 3rd runway, it can be overruled by the Government.  The next Government – elected in the General Election next May – could even bring back an Estuary Airport.  There are signs that Boris will continue to campaign for this to happen.