The London Assembly has called on the Mayor to abandon his plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary, describing them as a simplistic and ill-conceived vanity project.

A motion agreed by Assembly Members urges the Mayor to abandon proposals which they warned would have a devastating effect on the west London economy, with up to 100,000 jobs at risk should Heathrow be forced to close.

They also warned that a major new airport in the estuary would create huge environmental damage to a protected area used by thousands of migrating birds as well as increase noise, congestion and pollution for millions of people in south east London.

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Murad Qureshi AM, who proposed the motion, said: "With up to 100,000 jobs on the line at Heathrow it is incredible that the Mayor persists in promoting plans for a rival hub airport in the Thames Estuary. Such an airport would have a devastating effect on the west London economy as well as a serious impact on local wildlife in the estuary and a legacy of noise, congestion and pollution for millions of people in south-east London.

"The message from industry, the airlines and conservationists is simple – the Mayor must drop this ridiculous vanity project."

(CD)