PROPOSALS for an airport in the Thames Estuary have been widely dismissed by community leaders - with one MP calling them "monstrous".

Tory London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson revived the debate about an estuary airport as part of his election campaign, claiming Heathrow was "a planning error" of the Sixties which should not be exacerbated.

MPs and councillors across south Essex have roundly rejected the idea, which has been mooted in various forms since the Sixties.

Tory Castle Point MP Bob Spink felt although there could be some benefits to an estuary airport, he would fight the plan.

Dr Spink said: "I am dismayed at this new proposal to build an airport in the Thames Estuary so close to Canvey. This proposal is for 549,000 flights a year, operating 24 hours a day.

"There would, of course, be possible benefits. This would put us on the international map with many jobs and new roads, not to mention our new rail station. But is the loss of a quiet night's sleep or the risk to our environment a price worth paying?

"I think not. These are monstrous proposals."

His comments were echoed by Castle Point Council leader Pam Challis.

Mrs Challis said: "Obviously we have Southend Airport, which we all support for expansion and regeneration. It's got great potential and I feel that's the airport for south Essex to attract inward investment to the area.

"This plan would have a quite serious effect on Canvey residents."

The proposal also attracted criticism from politicians in Southend.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: "I fully support the expansion of Southend Airport.

"I would be looking at the economic impacts of a new airport on other areas and the traffic, noise issues and environmental factors another airport would have."

Southend Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said he did not think an airport in the estuary would prove viable.

He added: "We have all been here before and we keep on hearing about these plans. It is not even a realistic option. The costs would be far too large."

Veteran Southend Lib Dem councillor Alan Crystall, an early member of the Defenders of Essex pressure group formed to oppose an airport on Maplin Sands, said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw the latest report.

"I think Boris Johnson should be thrown in the Tower of London and they should throw away the keys."

* Despite repeated attempts by the Echo, Mr Johnson could not be contacted for further comment on the issue.

Crossing boss fears link with plan
 THE architect behind plans for a road and rail link between Canvey and Kent has distanced himself from suggestions his scheme would go hand-in-hand with an estuary airport.

Mark Willingale, director of Metrotidal, which is leading the £4billion bid to build the tunnel - reported in the Echo last week - said he wanted his firm's scheme to be considered on its own merits.

Mr Willingale said: "The Government has made it quite clear it is not prepared at the present time to look at plans for an airport in the Thames Estuary.

"Our proposals for a road and rail tunnel, along with a new flood barrier for London and a tidal lagoon, are standalone for the Thames Gateway area.

"We believe they are important, viable and essential for south Essex to achieve its full potential in Thames Gateway."

Mr Willingale said he was concerned Metrotidal's project would be viewed as inextricably linked with the airport plan.

He explained: "I don't want to see the plans we have just put forward confused with a new airport in the Thames Estuary. Plainly, this is not going to happen for a long time in the future, as even terminal five is not yet up and running at Heathrow.

"It may be that some time in the future, an airport could be a spin-off to the plans we are putting forward, but this is certainly not the case at the moment.

"I think this is Boris making political capital in his bid to be mayor of London, because of the opposition there is in the west of the capital to the expansion of Heathrow."