'Overwhelming response' to Thames Estuary airport campaign

Mark Reckless said it would be easier to expand existing airports

A Kent MP is considering extending his campaign against plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary following an "overwhelming response".

Mark Reckless, Tory MP for Rochester and Strood, has been canvassing opinion on the Hoo Peninsula, but said he might expand it to all of his constituency.

He has been sending out ballot papers, and said over 95% of residents who had responded so far opposed the plans.

Tory Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is among the supporters of a new airport.

There have been three different plans to build airports in the Thames Estuary including a floating airport designed by architects Gensier.

Another plan is known as Boris Island after it was backed by Mr Johnson, and there are proposals for a hub airport on the Isle of Grain designed by architect Norman Foster.

A third runway at Heathrow and increased use of Gatwick have also been suggested.

'Huge expense'

Speaking about the Thames Estuary plans, Mr Reckless said: "Residents clearly oppose these pie in the sky proposals.

"Estimates of the cost of building a new airport in the Thames Estuary range from £70-£100bn, which could add £50 to the cost of every plane ticket sold.

"The airlines don't want it, residents in west London who would lose their jobs don't want it, and now we can conclusively say that residents on the Hoo Peninsula, those who would be most impacted, don't want it."

Mr Reckless maintains that it would be easier to expand existing airports, rather than "build a massive new one at huge expense".

A commission chaired by ex-Financial Services Authority boss Sir Howard Davies is to consider a number of options to expand capacity in the South East and report back in 2015.