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Could Mayor Boris bring more planes to Kent?

Boris Johnson believes the UK can learn from other countries where major airports have been relocated
Boris Johnson believes the UK can learn from other countries where major airports have been relocated

Boris Johnson's victory in the London mayoral election fight could resurrect calls for a new airport in Kent and pitch him into conflict with council chiefs in the county.

Johnson ousted Ken Livingstone to become the new mayor, giving the Conservatives further cause for celebrations after a day in which they triumphed in the local council elections.

The potential source of conflict in Kent lies in Johnson’s belief that Heathrow airport’s expansion plans should be abandoned and alternative plans for a new airport at the Thames estuary be reconsidered.

Earlier this year, Johnson said: "What we don’t want to do is entrench a planning error of the 1960s by further expansion at Heathrow. We should look at whether there’s a solution to the east in the Thames Estuary."

Four options for airports either onshore along the coast or on floating islands were rejected by the Government in 2005.

However, Johnson believes the UK could learn from other countries who have relocated major airports.

At the time, county council Conservative leader Cllr Paul Carter dismissed the idea of an airport in the Thames estuary saying it would be too expensive and complicated. He said Kent should make more use of Manston airport in Thanet.

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