19th January 2009 

Labour’s South Essex candidates slam London Mayor’s airport madness 

Labour’s candidates for the five South Essex constituencies most closely affected have attacked London Mayor Boris Johnson’s persistence in planning for a major airport in the Thames Estuary. 

Responding to written representations from the five candidates, pointing out the economic and environmental folly of such a project, Mayor Johnson replied that he was continuing to champion the project and that a feasibility study is “now underway”. 

Angela Smith MP said, “with the expansion of Southend Airport, we will already have enough air traffic over south Essex, so to add to the current burden, with the creation of a huge new airport that would also increase rail and road traffic, is madness.” 

Julian Ware-Lane, Castle Point's Labour Candidate, said "I am shocked that Mayor Johnson is still considering this madcap scheme. In a drive to appease his West London vote he is prepared to ride roughshod over the views of Essex residents. He quite clearly has money to burn as well as a new airport is going to be far more costly than an upgrade to an existing facility." 

Allan Davies, Labour’s candidate for Basildon and Billericay, said “It is well known that aviation fuel is one the major pollutants to our atmosphere and environment. The construction of yet another airport in the region will have a significant negative effect on our health and on our wildlife. I'm utterly opposed to the idea." 

Kevin Bonavia, Labour’s candidate for Rochford & Southend East, said “If Boris Johnson gets his way with his new airport on the estuary, the result will be all pain and no gain for the residents of South Essex. Apart from spoiling one of the world’s most famous waterways in the Thames Estuary, the chances of proper development for South Essex will be blighted forever.”

 

Contacts:

Kevin Bonavia (Rochford & Southend East) 07974 141620

Allan Davies (Basildon & Billericay) 07932 883014

Tom Flynn (Southend West) 07743 416383

Angela Smith MP (Basildon and East Thurrock) 07889 821037

Julian Ware Lane (Castle Point) 07989 564743