DOCSLIB.ORG

Inner Thames Estuary Feasibility Study 2-1 10 July 2014

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Inner Thames Estuary Feasibility Study 2-1 10 July 2014 INNER THAMES ESTUARY AIRPORT FEASIBILITY STUDY 2 OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY AND ATTITUDES TO MOVING TO AN ESTUARY AIRPORT Prepared for Airports Commission 10th July 2014 LeighFisher Limited Registered Office: 1180 Eskdale Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, RG41 5TU Registered in England No: 2591354 This document has been prepared by LeighFisher Ltd in its professional capacity as consultants in accordance with the terms and conditions of LeighFisher’s contract with the commissioning party (the “Client”). Regard should be had to those terms and conditions when considering and/or placing any reliance on this document. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written permission from LeighFisher. If you have received this document in error, please destroy all copies in your possession or control and notify LeighFisher. Any advice, opinions, or recommendations within this document (a) should be read and relied upon only in the context of the document as a whole; (b) do not, in any way, purport to include any manner of legal advice or opinion; (c) are based upon the information made available to LeighFisher at the date of this document and on current UK standards, codes, technology and construction practices as at the date of this document. It should be noted and it is expressly stated that no independent verification of any of the documents or information supplied to LeighFisher has been made. No liability is accepted by LeighFisher for any use of this document, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. Following final delivery of this document to the Client, LeighFisher will have no further obligations or duty to advise the Client on any matters, including development affecting the information or advice provided in this document. This document has been prepared for the exclusive use of the Client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by LeighFisher, no other party may use, make use of or rely on the contents of this document. Should the client wish to release this document to a third party, LeighFisher may, at its discretion, agree to such release provided that (a) LeighFisher’s written agreement is obtained prior to such release; and (b) by release of the document to the third party, that third party does not acquire any rights, contractual or otherwise, whatsoever against LeighFisher and LeighFisher, accordingly, assume no duties, liabilities or obligations to that third party; and (c) LeighFisher accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage incurred by the Client or for any conflict of LeighFisher’s interests arising out of the Client’s release of this document to the third party. Chicago | Cincinnati | London | Toronto | San Francisco | Washington, D.C. www.leighfisher.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1-1 2. FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT 2-1 2.1 Introduction 2-1 2.2 Overview of Flood Risk 2-1 2.2.1 Protection of the Airport and Associated Development from Flooding 2-1 2.2.2 Potential Impact on Tidal Levels 2-2 2.2.3 Climate Change and Uncertainty 2-2 2.3 Policy and Legislative Context 2-2 2.3.1 Thames Estuary 2100 Plan 2-2 2.3.2 Legislation and National Planning Policy Framework 2-3 2.3.3 Baseline Flood Zones 2-4 2.4 Flood Risk Mitigation 2-5 2.5 Hydraulic Modelling 2-5 2.6 Case Studies 2-6 2.6.1 Hong Kong International airport 2-6 2.6.2 Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea 2-7 2.6.3 Changi Airport, Singapore 2-7 2.6.4 San Francisco International Airport 2-8 2.6.5 Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands 2-8 2.6.6 Flood risk and mitigation at other major airports 2-8 2.7 Review of Proposed Schemes 2-9 2.7.1 Issues Common to All Proposals 2-9 2.7.2 Foster + Partners 2-9 2.7.3 Transport for London 2-9 2.7.4 Metrotidal Tunnel and Thames Reach Airport Ltd 2-10 2.7.5 IAAG 2-10 2.8 Conclusions 2-11 3. FOG EVENTS 3-1 3.1 Introduction 3-1 3.2 Types of Fog 3-1 3.2.1 Coastal Fog 3-1 3.2.2 Radiation Fog 3-1 3.3 Impact of Fog on Airport Operations 3-1 3.4 Approach to Analysis 3-2 3.5 Fog Analysis Results 3-3 3.5.1 Total Number of fog Events 3-3 3.5.2 Fog Events by Type 3-3 3.5.3 Fog Events by Month 3-3 3.5.4 Fog Events by Time of Day 3-4 3.5.5 Fog Events by Duration 3-5 3.6 Conclusions 3-6 4. CROSS-WINDS AND WINDS 4-1 4.1 Introduction 4-1 4.2 Background 4-1 4.3 Approach 4-1 Airports Commission Inner Thames Estuary Feasibility Study i 10 July 2014 4.4 Results 4-1 4.4.1 Shoeburyness Wind Rose Data, 2004-2013 4-1 4.4.2 Heathrow Wind Rose Data, 2004-2013 4-2 4.4.3 Gatwick Wind Rose Data, 2004-2013 4-3 4.4.4 Shoeburyness Seasonal Wind Rose Data from 2004-2013 4-3 4.5 Conclusions 4-4 5. BIRD STRIKE RISK 5-1 5.1 Introduction 5-1 5.1.1 The Author 5-1 5.2 Background 5-1 5.3 Principles of Birdstrike Risk Assessment for New Airports 5-3 5.4 Schemes under Consideration 5-5 5.4.1 General Birdstrike Risk for any Airport Located on the Thames Estuary 5-6 5.4.2 Factors Affecting Birdstrike Risk at a Coastal Airport 5-6 5.5 Outline Evaluation of the Proposed Schemes 5-8 5.5.1 IAAG 5-8 5.5.2 Foster + Partners 5-9 5.5.3 Metrotidal Mid-Range 5-9 5.5.4 TfL 5-9 5.6 Likely Mitigation Requirements 5-10 5.6.1 On Airfield 5-10 5.6.2 Off Airfield 5-10 5.6.3 Compensation for Habitat Lost 5-12 5.7 Conclusion 5-12 6. SS RICHARD MONTGOMERY 6-1 6.1 Introduction 6-1 6.2 History 6-1 6.3 Current State 6-2 6.4 Risks Associated with the Wreck 6-5 6.5 Risks Resulting from Airport Construction and Operation 6-5 6.6 Risk Posed to the Airport 6-6 6.7 Possible Responses 6-7 6.8 Conclusion 6-8 7. AIRSPACE IMPLICATIONS 7-1 8. ENERGY FACILITIES 8-1 8.1 Introduction 8-1 8.2 Energy Facilities on the Isle of Grain 8-1 8.3 Power Stations 8-2 8.3.1 Current Status and Future Plans 8-2 8.3.2 Impact of Airport Development 8-3 8.4 Electricity Interconnector 8-4 8.5 Grain LNG 8-4 8.5.1 Background 8-4 8.5.2 Location of the Site 8-5 Airports Commission Inner Thames Estuary Feasibility Study ii 10 July 2014 8.5.3 Planned Development of Grain 8-5 8.6 Background on LNG 8-6 8.7 LNG’s Safety Record 8-7 8.8 Grain LNG Safety 8-7 8.9 Risks Resulting from Potential Airport Development 8-9 8.10 Role of Grain LNG in Importing and Supplying Natural Gas to the UK 8-11 8.10.1 Grain LNG’s Importation role 8-11 8.10.2 Grain’s LNG Storage Role 8-12 8.11 Potential Alternatives to Grain LNG 8-13 8.12 Conclusions 8-14 9. TRANSITION TO A NEW HUB AIRPORT 9-1 9.1 Introduction 9-1 9.2 Commercial Agreements 9-1 9.2.1 Agreements with Airports 9-1 9.2.2 Agreements with Airlines 9-3 9.2.3 Agreements with Other Entities 9-6 9.3 Workforce Relocation 9-7 9.3.1 Existing Airport Workforces 9-7 9.3.2 Issues with Transition 9-8 9.3.3 Summary 9-10 9.4 International Examples of Transition 9-10 9.4.1 Overnight Transfer 9-10 9.4.2 Staged Transfer 9-11 9.5 Other issues 9-12 9.6 Conclusion 9-13 10. ATTITUDES TO MOVING TO A NEW HUB AIRPORT 10-1 10.1 Introduction 10-1 10.2 Baseline Assumptions for the Survey 10-1 10.3 Airlines 10-2 10.3.1 Key Issues 10-2 10.3.2 Airport Charges 10-2 10.3.3 Location and Surface Access 10-3 10.3.4 Market Impacts 10-3 10.3.5 Staff Access and Relocation 10-4 10.3.6 Deliverability 10-4 10.3.7 Transition 10-4 10.3.8 Financing 10-5 10.3.9 Night Flights 10-5 10.3.10 Opportunities 10-5 10.4 Businesses 10-6 10.4.1 Uncertainty 10-6 10.4.2 Cost 10-6 10.4.3 Relocation 10-6 10.4.4 Surface Access and Location 10-8 10.4.5 Land and Property Values 10-8 10.4.6 Opportunities 10-9 10.5 Passengers 10-9 Airports Commission Inner Thames Estuary Feasibility Study iii 10 July 2014 10.5.1 Surface Access 10-9 10.5.2 Cost 10-10 10.5.3 Travel Preferences 10-10 10.6 Airports 10-10 10.6.1 Passenger Traffic Forecasts 10-11 10.6.2 Asset Management 10-11 10.6.3 Employment and Resourcing 10-11 10.6.4 Local Economy 10-12 10.6.5 Financing 10-12 10.6.6 Opportunities 10-12 10.7 Conclusions 10-12 11.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Inner Thames Estuary Airport: Review of the Evidence on Socio- Economic Impacts a Report for the Airports Commission
    www.pwc.co.uk Inner Thames Estuary Airport: Review of the evidence on socio- economic impacts A report for the Airports Commission Airports Commission June 2014 Final report www.pwc.co.uk Important notice This final document has been prepared for the Airports Commission in accordance with the terms of the Provision of Consultancy for Commercial, Financial and Economic Option Appraisal and Analysis (DfT) framework and the Contract Reference RM 2750 (650) dated 12th February 2014 and solely for the purpose and on the terms agreed with the Airports Commission. We accept no liability (including for negligence) to anyone else in connection with this document. This document contains information obtained or derived from a variety of third party sources as indicated within the document. PwC has not sought to establish the reliability of those sources or verified the information so provided. Should any person other than the Airports Commission obtain access to and read this document, such persons accepts and agrees to the following terms: 1. The reader of this document understands that the work performed by PwC was performed in accordance with instructions provided by our client, the Airports Commission, and was performed exclusively for their benefit and use. The document may therefore not include all matters relevant to the reader. 2. The reader agrees that PwC accepts no liability (including for negligence) to them in connection with this document. Inner Thames Estuary Airport: Review of the evidence on socio-economic impacts Contents Executive summary 2 1. Introduction 6 2. Rationale for airport closure and commercial considerations 8 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Would a New Hub Airport Be Commercially Viable?
    Would a new hub airport be commercially viable? Prepared for the Transport Committee January 25th 2013 Oxera i Draft for Comment: Strictly Confidential Oxera Consulting Ltd is registered in England No. 2589629 and in Belgium No. 0883.432.547. Registered offices at Park Central, 40/41 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1JD, UK, and Stephanie Square Centre, Avenue Louise 65, Box 11, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material and the integrity of the analysis presented herein, the Company accepts no liability for any actions taken on the basis of its contents. Oxera Consulting Ltd is not licensed in the conduct of investment business as defined in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Anyone considering a specific investment should consult their own broker or other investment adviser. The Company accepts no liability for any specific investment decision, which must be at the investor’s own risk. © Oxera, 2013. All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purposes of criticism or review, no part may be used or reproduced without permission. Executive summary The Transport Committee is conducting an inquiry into the UK’s aviation strategy.1 Commissioned by the Committee and prepared by Oxera, this report assesses the conditions under which a new hub airport is, or is not, likely to be commercially viable. The assessment does not evaluate a specific proposal for a new hub; rather, it includes a range of scenarios covering various airport designs, demand forecasts, cost estimates and assumptions about the level of airport charges.
    [Show full text]
  • Holding Pattern: an Analysis of Heathrow Airport’S Capacity Quandary
    Bridgewater State University Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University Honors Program Theses and Projects Undergraduate Honors Program 4-30-2018 Holding Pattern: An Analysis of Heathrow Airport’s Capacity Quandary Dudley G. Oscar Bridgewater State University Follow this and additional works at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/honors_proj Part of the Aviation Commons Recommended Citation Oscar, Dudley G.. (2018). Holding Pattern: An Analysis of Heathrow Airport’s Capacity Quandary. In BSU Honors Program Theses and Projects. Item 392. Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/honors_proj/392 Copyright © 2018 Dudley G. Oscar This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Running head: HOLDING PATTERN Holding Pattern: An Analysis of Heathrow Airport’s Capacity Quandary Dudley G. Oscar Submitted in Partial Completion of the Requirements for Departmental Honors in Aviation Science Bridgewater State University April 30, 2018 Dr. Michael Welch, Thesis Advisor Prof. Michael Farley, Committee Member HOLDING PATTERN 2 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 1: History ......................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: To Expand or Not to Expand? .................................................................................... 11 Chapter
    [Show full text]
  • Proposal for a Virtual Hub Airport to Meet Airport Capacity Needs
    ANNEX A Bold Steps for Aviation Discussion document May 2012 14 Contents Executive summary 3 1 Introduction 4 2 Background to aviation in the UK 5 3 Background to Bold Steps for Aviation proposals 8 4 Bold Steps for Aviation proposals 10 5 Recommendations 17 2 15 Executive summary In Bold Steps for Aviation Kent County Council discusses how the UK can meet its aviation needs through the connection of Gatwick and Heathrow with a high speed rail link; better use of Manston and Lydd Airports and other regional airports, including London City, Southend, Stansted, Luton, Southampton and Birmingham; and improved connections of these regional airports with London. In doing so it recommends to Government: The construction of a high speed rail link connecting Gatwick and Heathrow. Improved rail connectivity of other regional airports (Manston, Lydd, London City, Southend, Stansted, Luton, Southampton and Birmingham) with London, Gatwick and Heathrow. Further development of Manston Airport, other existing regional airports in the South East (Lydd, London City, Southend, Stansted, Luton and Southampton) and those with good connections to London (Birmingham). Capacity growth at Gatwick through the addition of a second runway after 2019. Any proposals for a Thames Estuary airport are not progressed any further. No action is not an option but action to address capacity issues must been taken quickly; rather than depending on an estuary airport that will take years to develop and may not even succeed, better use of our existing hub and regional airports NOW will ensure that the UK retains its premier position as a hub airport.
    [Show full text]
  • Strong Mayors' Leadership Capital: New York, London & Amsterdam
    STRONG MAYORS’ LEADERSHIP CAPITAL: NEW YORK, LONDON & AMSTERDAM (2000-2016) by Max William Stafford Canterbury Christ Church University Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2019 1 Abstract This thesis examines mayors and their interaction with their institutional limits. In particular, it considers, from the perspective of political leadership studies, how far mayors fitting the strong-mayor typology are able to assert their will in the face of these institutional limits. David Sweeting’s expositions on the strong-mayor model, supplemented by those of other theorists, form the thesis’ theoretical framework. This framework is applied to three original case studies (Michael Bloomberg in New York and Ken Livingstone & Boris Johnson in London). A fourth case study, of Job Cohen in Amsterdam, follows these and offers alternative perspectives (based upon the application a model of an appointed mayoralty). The analytical tool chosen – the Leadership Capital Index (LCI) – is a recent innovation in political leadership studies. The thesis’ findings demonstrate that there was clear potential for all of the mayors within the systems examined to assert their political will. What varies is how far mayors in different forms of strong-mayor systems can do this and how they achieve it. With regard to the LCI, the study concludes that it needs further development if it is to achieve longevity in terms of its place in the field. The thesis ends by outlining the future research agenda emerging as a result of this study. 2 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ 2 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. 7 List of Tables and Figures ..................................................................................................... 8 List of Interviewees* ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • View Ture Energy and Transport Infrastructures
    Young and Hall Infrastructure Complexity (2015) 2:2 DOI 10.1186/s40551-015-0005-8 RESEARCH Open Access Introducing system interdependency into infrastructure appraisal: from projects to portfolios to pathways Kate Young* and Jim W Hall Abstract Current methods for appraisal of infrastructure projects have been developed to consider multiple criteria, wider economic impacts and uncertainty, yet their focus on standalone projects and sector specific methods ignores the widely acknowledged ‘system of system’ interactions between infrastructure networks. Here we draw inspiration from real options ‘in’ projects to build on current appraisal methods, extending the analysis from single projects to cross-sector regional portfolios and finally to temporally differentiated development pathways; quantifying each stage through a case study on the Thames Hub Vision. The result is a system perspective of the investments, including: (i) the emergent effects of infrastructure asset interactions and how these are affected by the timing and order of development; (ii) an understanding of the ‘opportunity’ value of an investment through its ability to restrict or enable further developments; and (iii) the total required resources and potential environmental outcomes. Through our case study we demonstrate these effects, identifying system effects sufficient to reverse the outcome of the analysis from a net negative, to a net positive result. Furthermore, we show that the enabling effects of an asset on future developments can create impacts an order of magnitude larger than those observed through current individual asset appraisals. Our developments allow the creation of a decision support tool capable of more fully evaluating the effects of infrastructure investments, with a focus on the long-term opportunity provided by development strategies.
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Transportation Board
    Head of Legal and Democratic Services and JTB Monitoring Officer, T W Mortimer LLB Solicitor Joint Transportation Board Notice of a Meeting, to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PL on Tuesday 12th June 2012 at 7.00pm ______________________________________________________________________ The Members of this Committee are:- Mr M A Wickham (Chairman) Cllr. Burgess (Vice-Chairman) Cllrs. Mrs Bell, Mrs Blanford (ex officio), Claughton, Davey, Feacey*, Heyes, Robey, Yeo *Chairman of the Transport Forum Mr M J Angell, Mr P M Hill, Mr R E King, Mr S J G Koowaree, Mrs E Tweed, Mr J N Wedgbury Mr R Butcher – KALC Ashford Area Committee NB: Under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, members of the public can submit a petition, ask a question or speak concerning any item contained on this Agenda (Procedure Rule 9 refers) Agenda Page Nos. 1. Apologies/Substitutes – To receive Notification of Substitutes in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.2(iii) 2. Declarations of Interest - Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council on the 24th May 2007 relating to items on this agenda should be made here. The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must also be declared 3. Minutes – To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of this Board held on the 13th March 2012 4. To receive any Petitions 5. Transport Forum – To receive the Chairman’s Report of the Meeting held on the 18th May 2012 6. Tracker Report Part I – For Decision 7. KCC’s Draft Freight Action Plan for Kent Part II – For Information 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Thames Hub Response to the Airports Commission's Inner Thames
    Thames Hub response to the Airports Commission’s Inner Thames Estuary airport studies The Thames Hub Team welcomes the Airports Commission’s four Inner Thames Estuary airport feasibility studies published in July 2014. Commissioned to assess the credibility of an estuary airport, these studies found no showstoppers to the development of an Estuary airport, or any reasons to doubt the credibility of such a scheme. The Commission recognises the scale of the economic benefits from an Estuary airport, but notes that more detailed work is needed on several issues. In undertaking this further work, some inaccuracies in the Commission’s studies, as well as key evidence that has not been considered, need to be addressed. As a result, the Thames Hub Team is confident that an Inner Thames Estuary airport location will now be formally added to the Commission’s shortlist in September 2014. The Thames Hub airport on the Isle of Grain is the leading Inner Estuary proposal. The Thames Hub Team, led by Foster + Partners and supported by global leaders in infrastructure, looks forward to working with the Commission on the detailed studies needed to inform its final decision in summer 2015 on how the UK can best retain its global hub airport status. Introduction Dubai’s recently acquired status as the World’s busiest international airport confirms that the UK’s global aviation hub status is under threat. Dubai’s further expansion, and Istanbul’s planned new six runway airport, provide the global benchmarks against which the long term assessment of UK hub aviation capacity should be based, rather than piecemeal expansion at Heathrow or Gatwick.
    [Show full text]
  • LONDON CITY AIRPORT 30 Years Serving the Capital 30 YEARS of SERVING LONDON 14 Mins to Canary Wharf 22 Mins to Bank 25 Mins to Westminster
    LONDON CITY AIRPORT 30 years serving the capital 30 YEARS OF SERVING LONDON 14 mins to Canary Wharf 22 mins to Bank 25 mins to Westminster • Voted Best Regional Airport in the world* • Only 20 mins from terminal entrance to departure lounge • On arrival, just 15 minutes from plane to train LONDON CITY AIRPORT 30 years serving the capital Malcolm Ginsberg FAST, PUNCTUAL AND ACTUALLY IN LONDON. For timetables and bookings visit: *CAPA Regional Airport of the Year Award - 27/10/2016 londoncityairport.com 00814_30th Anniversary Book_2x 177x240_Tower Bridge.indd 1 26/06/2017 13:22 A Very Big Thank You My most sincere gratitude to Sharon Ross for her major contribution to the editorial and Alan Lathan, once of Jeppesen Airway Manuals, for his knowledge of the industry and diligence in proofing this tome. This list is far Contents from complete but these are some of the people whose reminiscences and memories have helped me compile a book that is, I hope, a true reflection of a remarkable achievement. London City Airport – LCY to its friends and the travelling public – is a great success, and for London too. My grateful thanks go to all the contributors to this book, and in particular the following: Andrew Scott and Liam McKay of London City Airport; and the retiring Chief Foreword by Sir Terry Morgan CBE, Chairman of London City Airport 7 Executive Declan Collier, without whose support the project would never have got off the ground. Now and Then 8 Tom Appleton Ex-de Havilland Canada Sir Philip Beck Ex-John Mowlem & Co Plc (Chairman) Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 13/06/2012, 19.30
    Public Document Pack Gravesham Joint Transportation Board Members of the Gravesham Joint Transportation Board are summoned to attend a meeting to be held at the Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent on Wednesday, 13 June 2012 at 7.30 pm when the business specified in the following agenda is proposed to be transacted. S Kilkie Assistant Director (Communities) Agenda Part A Items likely to be considered in Public 1. Apologies 2. To sign the minutes of the previous meeting (Pages 1 - 4) 3. To declare any interests members may have in the items contained on this agenda. When declaring an interest members should state what their interest is. 4. To consider whether any items in Part A of the agenda should be considered in private or those (if any) in Part B in public 5. Results from the Highway Tracker Survey 2011 - report herewith. (Pages 5 - 14) 6. Prospect Grove - Width Restriction - report herewith. (Pages 15 - 18) 7. A226 Gads Hill - Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - report herewith. (Pages 19 - 22) 8. Highway Schemes Update Report - report herewith. (Pages 23 - 36) 9. Highway Works Programme 2012/13 - report herewith. (Pages 37 - 42) 10. Bold Steps for Aviation - report herewith. (Pages 43 - 62) Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend Kent DA12 1AU 11. Residents' Parking Scheme - Brandon Street/Arthur Street area - report (Pages 63 - 64) herewith. 12. Any Other Business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency. 13. Exclusion To move, if required, that pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded from any items included in Part B of the agenda because it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted that if members of the public are present during those items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release Thames Hub Airport
    Press release 01 July 2015 Thames Hub Airport - Reaction to the Airports Commission final report The only long term answer to the question posed to the Airports Commission, "how do we maintain our global aviation hub status" is a brand new 4-runway 24 hour airport to the east of the capital, the Thames Hub. It is a bold, flexible, future-proof solution which neither Heathrow, nor Gatwick will ever achieve. The expansion of London towards the east has now been reinforced with the approval of Ebbsfleet Garden City and moves toward a Lower Thames crossing – further validating the relocation of the airport to the Isle of Grain. The argument against the relocation of the bird habitat has been diminished with the success of the Wallasea wetland project further down the Estuary. The Thames Hub airport will deliver the global connectivity that Londoners demand whilst bringing respite to all tormented by aircraft noise. Connecting the UK to new global destinations throughout the day and night, it can be built for a cost of £26 billion including upgraded road and rail services in just 7 years – the same time it will take for a new runway at Heathrow to be squeezed into a London borough. An integrated rail hub will connect services to Europe, London in just 30 minutes and the rest of the UK. With our growing confidence in large scale infrastructure projects in the UK, now is the time to recast the debate within the larger interests of the country. Global trade demands newer, higher capacity transport infrastructure, and London cannot afford to be left behind, the credibility of a new Thames Hub airport has never been stronger.
    [Show full text]
  • Aviation: Proposals for an Airport in the Thames Estuary, 1945-2013
    Aviation: proposals for an airport in the Thames estuary, 1945-2014 Standard Note: SN/BT/4920 Last updated: 28 March 2014 Author: Melvyn Helsey and Fintan Codd Section Business and Transport Section Since the 1940s, there have been numerous proposals to build an airport in or near the Thames Estuary. In September 2012 an Independent Commission, the latest in a long line of official bodies tasked with examining UK airport capacity and making recommendations to Government,was established; ten separate Estuary schemes were submitted to it. In December 2013, the Commission produced an interim report which ruled out all estuarial locations apart from the Isle of Grain in the Inner Estuary – further investigations will be carried out and a decision on the credibility of this location will be taken in the second half of 2014 – a final report will be produced in 2015. This note outlines the most significant estuary schemes over the past seven decades. However, it does not deal with Boris Johnson’s support for an airport based on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary. The Mayor of London’s investigations in this area are detailed with in a separate note, SN6144. Information on the other airports in the South East and London can be found in HC Library Note SN2893; and there are separate notes on London Heathrow, SN1136 and airports in the UK outside of the South East and London, SN323.These and other briefings on aviation can be found on the Aviation Topical Page of the Parliament website. This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual.
    [Show full text]