Six-Runway Facility In The Thames Estuary Could Be Built In Seven Years

The Thames Estuary Research and Development Company (Testrad) has released design concepts for the London Britannia Airport, which has become better known as "Boris Island" after London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The company said in unveiling the concepts Monday that the six-runway facility could be built in seven years at a cost of just under $75 billion.

In a release accompanying the announcement, Testrad said that the £47 billion ($74.8 billion)  investment "will reverse the polarity of London and facilitate regeneration of the Thames Gateway National Priority Area. Employment opportunities in service, technology, engineering and myriad other industries will grow to serve existing historic Thames Estuary communities, and boost the regeneration of inner East London."

Buying Business Travel reports that Testrad CEO Bridget Rosewell said that the island airport would give London the airport it will need to support its world city status into the 21st century.

“It also provides a solution to the challenge of incorporating London’s expected growth in population of 2 million and a facility which can be linked to the whole of the UK while both the east and west of London will each benefit from regeneration.”

The Thames Estuary hub has been a pet project for Mayor Johnson, who supports the concept over building a third runway at Heathrow Airport. The London Airport's Commission is looking at whether either is necessary, but plans to present a narrowed list of options by the end of the year. A final recommendation is not likely to come until after the next general election in 2015.

(Images provided by Testrad)

FMI: http://www.testrad.co.uk/