If Boris Johnson succeeds in persuading the Government to look again at the possibility of transferring aircraft pollution from London to the Thames Estuary, it will improve his chances of being re-elected as Mayor of London. But I cannot believe this is his prime motive in raising the subject of an estuary airport again.

Despite some ridicule of the idea, architect Sir Norman Foster’s CV shows he has successfully built projects as large as this and, if the political will and capital is forthcoming, it could be built.

None of the problems are insurmountable. The wreck of the ammunition ship Richard Montgomery is deteriorating and will have to be dealt with eventually.

We may protest but, sadly, it counts for little in the face of juggernaut infrastructure projects. The 1974 Maplin project did not founder because of public protest, but because the price of oil increased to the point where it became uneconomic.

However, we are entering a cruel new world, where economic survival will become increasingly difficult.

We are told more runway capacity for long haul aircraft is essential if we are to take advantage of the growing Far East markets.

Germany and Holland already have that capacity and are enjoying trade benefits that could be ours.

Most of my generation are against airport expansion anywhere near built-up residential areas, but the young may have a different view.

They have been told the larger, modern aircraft about to start flying into Southend Airport use “clean, whispering” engines and they may not view an estuary airport as such a bad idea if it gives massive long-term employment and the chance, presently denied to so many of them, to buy their own homes and raise a family, even at the expense of the environment.

Nevertheless, let us hope if the project does start to take wings, it flies off in the direction of Manston, Kent.

S Askham
Elmsleigh Drive
Leigh