The Government has called a surprise debate in the House for November 11 on Heathrow's third runway. Meanwhile, Mayor Boris Johnson has been investigating hiring a consultant about the Thames Gateway Airport idea.
The surprise debate, to be held on Tuesday 11th November, was announced after 50 Labour MPs signed a parliamentary petition (known as an Early Day Motion), confirming their opposition to the Government’s Heathrow plans.
Tuesday’s Commons debate will not result in a decision on Heathrow expansion but campaigners hope it will influence the Government’s response to its year-long public consultation.
The Government is expected to announce its decision on Heathrow expansion in December.
Oakervee again?
Boris has been talking to Doug Oakervee, the man in charge of Crossrail, about doing some work on the Thames Gateway Airport idea, according to the Evening Standard. Oakervee was the man who ran the new Hong Kong airport project in the nineties, which also involved creating a new airport on land partially reclaimed from the sea.
