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.


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)