RSPB describe Thames Esturary air hub as 'Utterly absurd'
January 23, 2012
London Mayor Boris Johnson has been heavily criticised for his support of plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary, dubbed ‘Boris Island’.
According to reports, a consultation on the idea for a new airport will be launched in March, but environmental campaigners have already slammed the plans, with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) labelling the idea as “utterly absurd” because of the hundreds of thousands of birds that use the estuary as a major migratory route.
Chris Corrigan, the RSPB’s director for South East England, said no amount of “wishful thinking” on the Major’s behalf changes the fact that the Thames Estuary is “not dead space, waiting for development”.
He said: “It is home to an immense number of birds and other wildlife. You can not recreate the estuary nor move on the native or migratory wildlife that relies on it for food and shelter.”
“I'm sure the Mayor doesn't want to go down in history as the man who decimated not just birds in the Thames, but global species too, while putting air passengers lives at risk due to bird strike.
“I'd urge him to drop this costly pursuit now and look to further strengthening, greening and improving London's public transport systems.”
Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth's executive director Andy Atkins has also voiced his concerns: “A new airport in the Thames estuary would have a devastating impact on local communities and the environment – and all for pie-in-the sky economics that simply don't add up.
“London doesn't need another hub airport – the capital already has more flights to the world’s main business destinations than our European neighbours.
“David Cameron's pledge to lead the greenest government ever will ring hollow if he gives the green light to a huge expansion in air travel."
Courtesy of Link 2
