SOUTHEND councillors are being asked to unite in condemning London mayor Boris Johnson’s suggestion of major new airport in the Thames Estuary.

Labour group leader David Norman and his deputy, Judith McMahon, have put forward a motion to the council, expressing their concern about Mr Johnson’s suggested alternative to expansion at Heathrow.

Mr Norman said: “We firmly believe such a development would have a severe and adverse environmental impact on the borough and surrounding areas.

“The Labour group is asking the council to affirm its total opposition to the proposal and do all in its power to oppose it.”

He added: “Something which worries me is Boris Johnson is one of the inner circle in the Conservative Party, along with David Cameron and George Osborne.

“As such, his views could carry a lot of weight in any future Conservative government.

“I don’t want to make this into a party political issue, but I would hope it is something the whole town can unite behind.”

Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said: “I have said it before in the past and I will say it again.

“I simply do not believe a scheme like this would be feasible. I am certainly not going to get worked up about it until I see some concrete plans which could actually work.”