The Metropolis

Pigs have as much chance of landing in the Thames estuary as planes. So what's going on?

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 18 January, 2012 11:13

If a plan looks insane, sounds insane and feels insane, there’s a good chance it’s a Boris Johnson policy proposal which has absolutely no chance of getting built. (Further examples here)

The government announced this morning they will consult on a new airport in the Thames estuary. I can tell you now that pigs have as much chance of landing there as planes do. It’s not going to happen.

The local councils are against it. The local MPs are against it. The RSPB don’t know whether to cry or laugh. The government ran away from a fight over forestry sales after being kindly asked to stop by some well-mannered folk in hunter wellies – do you really think they’ll stand and fight for this?

All for what? All so the South East can unveil a shiny new service station for businessmen en route from New York to Shanghai, which will be ready to open at just around the time oil shortages, environmental devastation and improved communications make it uneconomic to fly.

It’s bonkers. So what’s really going on?

Lib Dem AM Caroline Pidgeon reckons it’s all part of a grand re-election gameplan for the Mayor.

Caroline Pidgeon

If she’s right, expect to hear the “we’re planning a brand spanking new airport to deliver jobs, business etc” line trotted out plenty over the next few months, then completely forgotten after May.

The Mayor’s biographer, Sonia Purnell, thinks a longer game is afoot:

Sonia Purnell

This farrago is so depressing.

Adam Bienkov on the Mayor’s other failed ideas
Medway council leader calls airport plan pie in the sky
Kent MP Mark Reckless is having none of estuary airport
RSPB – Decades of rejection haven’t stilled demands for a Thames estuary airport
New London airport: it’s all about transfer passengers

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