“An airport in the Thames threatens a huge increase in noise, congestion and pollution for millions of people; it also threatens thousands of the jobs in West London who rely on Heathrow," said Livingstone.
Current Mayor Boris Johnson is widely seen as the champion of increasing airport capacity in the south east by building a new airport east of London. His "Boris Island" concept will be included for consultation in the Government's aviation framework, which is due to be published in March.
“Rather than spending millions on an airport in the Thames, Boris Johnson should be putting more police on the streets and ending his huge bus, tube and train fare increases,” said Livingstone, who was commenting on Thames Estuary airport proposals.
Jon Riley a planning and aviation expert at Pinsent Masons has welcomed Livingstone's contribution to the debate, but also warned that the need for new capacity has ramifications for the whole of the nation, not just London.
"The profile Livingstone gives this debate is very welcome. But it's important this does not become perceived as an issue exclusively for London and Londoners. Where the UK's hub airport capacity is located in the future matters to business and individuals nationwide," said Jon.
"So we need the Government to shape their forthcoming consultation on the Aviation Framework to consider all options for delivering that capacity, including weighing the Thames Estuary concept against an expanded Heathrow - and to engage actively with stakeholders both within Greater London and beyond," said Riley.
The Government has blocked plans for a proposed third runway at Heathrow since it took office in 2009. Heathrow's operator, BAA, have recently called for the forthcoming consultation to revisit that decision.
