I think this is a good idea, the money could be part-generated by selling off the land currently occupied by Heathrow and building more housing instead, all that is needed is excellent transport connections to ensure the rest of the country can access it easily enough.

Jon, London,

Its about time Britain got into the 21st century, instead of bolting bits on to Heathrow,( lets face it you will need more than a 3rd runway eventually) lets have a new 24 hour state of the art airport with 4 to 6 runways and be up there with the rest of the world

Malcolm Whitlock, West Drayton, London UK

Excellent idea but will need a lot of infrastructure:
- Connection to High Speed 1 line
- Extension to southern crossrail route
- Extension to northern crossrail route with a new thames rail crossing
- A lower thames motorway crossing linking the M25 with the M2.

Alex, Tunbridge Wells,

But how would most people get to it? The M25 is already a mess and for the majority of the country out side of London this would be in the wrong direction adding at least 1-2 hours t the time to get to it by car. Stansteads already a nightmare

Charlie, Cheltenham, UK

Of course, it should. It makes sense and would solve quite a few problems. UK first airport should have been relocated a long time ago, and thinking of building a 3rd runway is nuts.

Dom, Hants,

Sorry, but i thought we were going to restrict development on floodplains, or did i just dream that?

Andy, Cornwall,

This is a great idea - real vision. We botched the planning in the 1970s let's not do so again. There are plans to reduce traffic on the M4 because of pollution; there are real transport problems into London from the west; there are thousands of houses blighted by noise and threat of runways 3 and 4

Clive Moulton, Windsor, U.K.

If this is going to be, then use the airport island as a base for construction of a Netherlands-type dike, incorporating flood barrier and high-level bridge over the shipping lanes to carry Northbound traffic well out of the way of London. Put it East of Sheppey and really protect the floodplains.

Chris, Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey, UK

When investing for the future you can only assess the future costs of the available options against their associated future benefits. There is no point worrying about money already spent. You can however sack the person who decided to invest in Heathrow if a better plan was available at that time.

Bob, Reading,

Yes ! - a brilliant idea. It needs to be done, it has been done elsewhere it would solve far more problems than the mostly temporary ones it would create. Go for it Boris - it's a vote-winner !

Michael Williams, London, UK

Wow. Boris finally had a good idea. Let's hope it actually happens.

Lisa, London,

Has the ammunitio ship. sunk in world war 2 been removed from the mouth of the medway estuary yet?????????

richard higgs, merseyside,

What about a joint Paris, London, Brussels airport on the EuroStar line somewhere in northern France?

Colin Wilson, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

I am really bored of English politicians who have only lately been travellers and want to compete with the things they see in Hong Kong, China and Japan.

One does not build a new airport on an Island just because other Global Cities have one.

This much globalization is Old Economics

gerry, London,

I have long thought this is just what we need but it will never happen, Nimbyism and bananaisms will take care of that.

William, Guildford, UK

This is something he has believed in for some time and its a very smart move. Would be equally good if the Spanish company who run Heathrow could also be moved out and allow a company that knows how to manage airports (eg Hong Kong/Singapore) could run it. It should be applauded.

Colin Xavier, London, UK

I remember watching the Airport TV series and the problems associated with keeping the birds away from the aeroplanes at Heathrow. Building a new airport next to a nature reserve doesn't sound very clever to me.

Gareth, London, UK

Unless the wreck of liberty ship explosives carrier SS Richard Montgomery laden with 1400 tons of explosives is removed (after evacuating Sheppey for 3 months while it is carried out) it is a disaster waiting to happen, as it has been for the last 64 years...

ron, london, uk

Boris is strange politician but this idea is perfect.
By the time the UK builders, architects, logo designers & other deliver the airport, it will cost at least £45bn.
The only way to make it for £6bn & in 2 years is: give it to the Chinese company & bring 6000 Chinese workers on temporary visas

savo, london, uk

Heathrow has had it's day (probably sometime in the 1970's). Most developed (and developing) countries have moved their main airports out of the main conurbations as the old terminals have become hopelessly overcrowded.

The M25 in West London will never be the same though (for the better!)

Rob, B'ham, UK

So where's the sense in moving the airport east and making it even harder for people from the rest of the country to get to?

Heathrow works because it's easy for most people to get too.

Andy Davies, Glos, UK,

Yeah great idea lets create another few white elephants like T5 and Crossrail, and deprive half the nation of a sensible link to our premier airport, all the while decimating coastal habitat and risking bird strikes and flood risks. This is an old hat idea and wont /cant fly for a host of reasons.

Alastair, Rye, UK

Great idea Boris go for it...

Tim Addison, Cambridge, UK

Have any of these airport building & expansion proposers ever stopped to consider what on earth will power aircraft in 20/30 years time? Oil will be in increasing short supply and the aircraft industry & airlines will be contracting. Fast.

Dave, Wrexham,

Hong Kong,s 2 runway airport cost 10 Bilion, a new runway at Heathrow would cost 13 Billion , isn,t this a 'no brainer' , can there really be a choice ?.

W Watkin, Andover, UK

What nonsense. "Let's put London's major airport in a direction and location much further away from even more of the population". Um, yeah, that'll work......

Ian, KC, USA

I use Heathrow 2 or 3 times a month and never have any major problems. The new T5 is excellent and has improved the services no end. If people who use Heathrow use common sense and bother to read signs, it is fine. I can think of many airports around the world that are far more stressful.

Mark, London, UK

I too remember the Maplin Sands debate during the 70's. We wouldn't be in the present mess had this project gone ahead then. Heathrow is bursting at the seams and no patch-up job will help. A new London airport with no expansion restrictions and modern connections is the only way forward. Go Boris

K.Hall, Helsinki, Finland

Excellent idea and long overdue. Don't listen to the naysayers and go for it !!

Chris, London,

Boris is our only politician with any long-term vision. Sadly this is unlikely to take off because it is a truly brilliant idea. Prove them wrong, Boris!

Howard, Cambridge,

Does anyone realise that by simply building this new airport, it could yet turn into an even worse Terminal 5 disaster?! Building a new airport does not guarantee anything, it could even be a pile of rubbish.
Plus there is the history of Heathrow, it has served us, if not brilliantly, for decades!

J. Grant, Luton, Bedfordshire,

Hello! That area is in Thanet in Kent and does not cover his jurisdiction as Mayor of London.Bring it on Boris we defeated the idea of an airport at Grain and we will strongly oppose those plans too. Incidentaly hasn't he seen that air travel is falling as a result of the credit crunch.

Peres Dixon, Rochester, England

you say FOG?
i say ILF!!!
global warming?
make the runway 5m+ above sea level!
strpped 4 cash?
the chinese and arabs will gladly make a killing building it for you, butyou will have to pay for it for the next 100 years of course.
The land sale of heathrow will rake in a fortune.
GO BORIS :)

simon, norwich,

no need to shutdown heathrow. just lower it from 5 terminals to 2 terminals and build an island airport with as many terminals as you want. construction costs in places like hong kong and the usa are far lower than here in the uk. japan has an awesome island airport, its a good idea.

tim, london, uk

They have not been able to put a west or north bound rail connection into Heathrow the worlds busiest airport .
How will they get a new airport built in the middle of the Sea ?
Good infra structure projects need a good dictator to get them built to avoid all the public objections.

MIchael, London, UK

It's interesting that this idea is not one that originates with Boris's lot: the BNP have been advocating an airport in the Thames estuary for quite a while. Sadly, though, the BNP's immigration policy is all the media can concentrate on.

Stephen, London, England

Cracking idea, go for it Boris This would solve all the problems associated with a 3rd runway and give peace to the long suffering residents of West London and those that live under the flight paths (me) for more or less the same cost, DO IT Boris.

Jack Oconnor, London, UK

Anyone thought about the effects of rising sea levels and the tidal surge effect or any of the 101 other natural effects an artificial island may cause or undergo?

Will, Camborne, UK

Yes, Good Idea.
Watchout for those NIMBY's around the area and the ECO warriors defending the estuary plants and birds.
And offcourse those BAA fat cat shareholders and interest groups they will do everything to twist the present Labour and future Tory govt. big guns. Good economy for Kent& Essex.

M.A.Rashid, BRISTOL, Avon

This looks like one of those 'it's so obvious, why didn't I think of that' solutions. Always knew Boris would stir things up with some bright ideas; there's a good brain in that brilliant disguise. Fog's a potential problem though, and wouldn't rising sea levels leave the runways a bit damp?

David, richmond, United Kingdom

The plan needs to include access from the rest of the country. Heathrow is well situated for travellers from the Midlands and West of England. High speed rail links would need to be included to Brimingham and Bristol etc. This would also help to cut down on domestic connecting flight

Forlornehope, Crediton,

There is another airport scheme that would be cheaper and have more benefits see: -

http://www.bluebase.com/air_v1.htm

James, London,

From across the pond- Yes please do build a new logical airport in the thames estuary. Heathrow is like a bad Dr. Who episode, with byzantine twists and turns. We all laugh about it , once we've stopped swearing. Build one like DIA Denver, which is so efficient one feels like a VIP every time

LAurence Budd, Fort collins, USA

An obvious plan - but no less brilliant for that. Boris: we need you to push this through.

patrick, London, UK

Most people arriving at airports travel by car. So most people going to this airport will have to use the M25. Saturday lunchtime yesterday there was a 10m jam heading south to the Dartford Tunnel. Has anyone supporting this airport seen the south side of the M25 in the morning rush hour?

John , Sevenoaks,

This is refreshing thinking. Seems to tick all the boxes especially the rail link for short haul journeys. Double benefit to London with the redev of Heathrow. Shame the Olympics wasnt elsewhere like Scotland to help that region. I hope an overspend will not be of similar to the Olympic farce

Angus, Wokingham, UK

At last a politician with a vision. It makes so much sense. It will create more jobs than exist at Heathrow and remove all noise and Terriost issues. Flying planes over millions of people is insane. I said on BBC news seven years ago close Heathrow and move to the Thames Estuary. Well done Boris.

Jonathan de Rin, London, UKJ

Here we go again. The main international UK airport has to be west and preferably north of London outside or on the M25. Facing the majority of the population of the UK.

If SE England feel they need another regional airport then I suppose the Thames estuary is as good a place any

David, Dubai, UAE

This sounds like an interesting idea. We should immediately freeze plans for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow while it is exhaustively investigated.

jeremy b, london,

Four new runways!

On an artificial island in the Thames Estuary!

Brilliant!

They'll be underwater before they're even built!

(Climate change is completely sorted with this idiot at the helm isn't it...)

jonathan, London,

More run ways? Airports supporting London have the capaicty. The problem is it is not synchronised. A high speed rail or Mag lev ring system taking in Stanstead, Luton, Heathrow, Gatwick & City , moving interconnecting passenger quickly, in comfort for onward connections. a practical solution?

Alexander, victoria, Seychelles

Once again, the main political parties stealing BNP. policy. If only the mainstream press would give fair coverage, people would see the practical solutions to Britains many problems would be solved by a British National Party government.

Malcom Brown, Newcastle, England

A common sense idea, it's only a shame that we've spent so much money on T5 already.

As for London's tube being so poor; New York, Beijing, Madrid, Barcelona - all cities that I expected to beat London's creaking tube but disappointed. The only one that I've seen is better is the Hong Kong MTR.

Matt, London,

Let's build it in Paris and all take the train.

Eve Ventura, London, UK

Too many people. The population in the London area should have been frozen decades ago.

Henry, Melbourne, Australia

Great idea.

Whatever the business case - just do it. Some great projects just need to be done regardless of cost etc.

M Wells, Stroud, UK

sorry folks it's not just the airport, London as a whole is a national disgrace.

Daniel, Manchester, UK

Glass houses Daniel, glass houses.

Alex, Kent,

35 min rail link to London? Then another hour to get to were you want by tube or taxi. How long would it take to get your family and luggage from airport to home by car if you don't live in east or south east London? Why not just expand Standstead and Gatwick properly and provide good links?

Mark, London & Madrid,

Sorry, but I can't see it happen for several reasons

1. where will the money come from?

2. Environmental Impact?

3. Feasibility?

Simon, Cranfield, UK

Excellent idea - all the residential properties in West London (Richmond etc) suffer from the noise pollution and traffic congestion caused by the Heathrow and it's flight paths. Far better that they fly in to land over the East End, and Kent, where the people who didn't vote for Boris Johnson live

lulabel5, london,

Well done Boris yet another display of common sense over the stupid dogma of this loony Labour government. Go for it Boris the Labour party will cease to exist after the next election.

D Case, Newquay,

A new runway at Heathrow - "to alleviate congestion"??? And what happens when that leads to the next level of congestion, and then the next, and then the next? Do none of these idiots understand the expression "full to capacity"?

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

This is why Boris is the breath of fresh air London needed. It's an excellent and sensible idea. Expect the government to now ignore it completely and do the least sensible option. It would solve all the problems with Heathrow, and give London the boost it needs. Shame it won't be there for 2012.

Alex Kerr, London, UK

I think flying will be in decline as the price of oil and rising inflation will become something permanent. So a megalomaniac plan like this does not seem to consider its harm on the average tax payers in the UK who are already "drowning" in the current financial climate. How to justify T5?

Andy T, London,

No other large modern city in the world has 3 planes a minute on final approach above the heads of its inhabitants. An airport far away from the city with good train connections is the obvious solution, this is another no-nonsense idea from our new Mayor.

Jean, London, UK

One of several objections to the scheme is the increased likelihood of bird strike from seabirds over the Thames estuary. Does anyone know if this is a realistic concern or if any plans exist to obviate it?

Arundel, South Coast, UK

One word. Fog.

Stuart Lacy, London,

Fantastic Boris! Those terribly efficient bankers should look east & forget their cosy, self serving, extremely expensive, executive(!) link to Heathrow called 'cross rail'. Save Londoner's environment & health. Build a hub in the Thames & don't expand Gat. or Stan. either. Cheaper too.

James Marsh, London, UK

The Ghost of Maplin Sands anyone?

John Dougald McCallum, Huddersfield,

You paying for it Boris?

Rob, Brum, UK

Manston is the obvious alternative. We should be building a new city at Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs

Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

sorry folks it's not just the airport, London as a whole is a national disgrace.

Daniel, Manchester, UK

nice ! but what about sortung out the tube in london ? i spent over 4 years abroad and upon my return the system is still as bad as ever.!
What about the East / West high speed link under London ? where does that stand ?

mark, london,

The main problem with the suggestion? T5 has just been opened, closing it down in 5-10 years? Who would do that?
Which is a shame, because most of the plan makes complete sense, Heathrow has been poorly located since it opened.
One other issue though; The Thames estuary is vulnerable to storm surges

David, Norwich, England

A London airport in the Thames estuary is both an excellent idea and common sense. The benefits are clear. As such it will probably never happen in Britain where only totally daft ideas such as expanding Heathrow get the green light from our dim witted officials,

Simon , London, UK

Megalomania. Faraonic nonsense. Another 'dome'. Without major investments in Heathrow, I'm afraid London 2012 will be a total collapse. Three airports, and none is valid? London will sink in the Thames.

John O'Hara, Dublin, Ireland

Why not develop Manston in Kent - extend the Eurostar line from Ashford via Canterbury or along the north kent coast from Ebbsfleet. It has a very long runway and is away from large urban areas.

GG, Kent, England

Good Idea!
Heathrow will never be properly connected into the rail network. Forget Crossrail, it offers no advantage to the main players. BA wants to fly transfer passengers in from Brussels and Manchester, while BAA makes a fortune out of car parking.

derek, Uxbridge, UK

A major "London" Aiirport on Sheppy would have the result that much (if not most) of the arrivals and departures would have to be "Controlled" almost to touchdown by Brussels and Maastricht ( Low Countries & MW Germany) Air Traffic Control
units. Up would inevitably go the charges and the delays

leela joseet, London, England

What a great idea!

Come on Boris, pull this off for London.
Give Londoners the World class airport they deserve.

Timothy Wilson, London,

Oh my ... at last some one in office thinking long term and applying some common sense.

Now Boris, apply some of that common sense to the rest of London planning.

JC, London, UK

This makes aeronautical sense as aircraft need to land into a headwind - as this will is mainly SW, aircraft currently have to approach low over the densely populated areas of London. An airport in the Thames estuary would not have this problem.
Good Idea BoJo - hope it happens.

Rich, Bristol, England

This is about time too, Boris not my favourite politician , but at last common sense prevails

I J Sisterson, Peyriac de Mer,

This is a complete no-brainer, and it is refreshing to see real leadership.

Ricardo, Adelaide, Australia

With the geological fact of peak oil comes the near certainty of peak flights; the number of flights made will decline in future not increase. We will need less runways in future not more. Lets not waste $$$$ on a white elephant before seeing the fall out of high oil prices on the airline industry.

Andy Boothroyd, Bath, England

Hopefully the 'Mayoral Advisors' look at the history of Mirabel Airport near Montreal. It was built during the 70's, out in country so as to not bother anyone. Now it is all but closed down.

Ram Punchington, Kelowna, BC,

Couldnt agree more. heathrow is badly connected badly run and is a dinasour of an airport. Shame we have just spent 4 billion on a new terminal!

Heeners, Bath,

Haven't we been here before with plans for Maplin Sands in the 1970s? I have always felt that was an opportunity missed. As to the link to London, I gather that Cross-Rail is already envisaged coming out to Reading in the west. This would make an obvious destination out east.

David Perkins

David Perkins, Carterton, UK