Floating Airport Proposed For London

[LHookins]

This reminds me of articles I used to read in the 50's in magazines like Popular Mechanics or Popular Science about "Airports of the Future." Actually, in the early 50's the title would be "Postwar Airports." If you can get your hands on some of these old mags, it can be quite... enlightening.

 

Hook

[Lifeguard911]

It also occured to me that if this is tethered rigidly then when it's high tide it's a awash, and when it's low tide you get that terrible sloshing noise underneath!

The plus side is if it's not tethered rigidly, you can turn it to face the prevailing wind, hence no cross wind landings or take offs.

Brilliant concept!!! Go for it Gensler!

 

While a runway that windmills into the wind would create problems with STAR's, it would create jobs. Think of the people the airport would hire to run out to 27L and repaint the numbers to 35L every time the wind comes in from the North Sea!

 

Bill

 

[Richbro]

I'm still of the opinion that this is part of a conspiracy to draw peoples attention away from something else they have in mind. The idea of placing a construction like this in the middle of a tidal stream the likes of which the Thames estuary experiences twice daily, along with its shipping that navigate the route to London and out to Europe is clearly bonkers. Unless, of course, they've pasted the picture in the wrong place.

I do hope money hasn't changed hands out of the public purse for this so far but I have a sneaking suspicion it has.

A third runway at Heathrow has not been completely over ruled despite all the protests which is why I think the Estuary idea is a ringer.

[Matthew Kane]

I see this as an architect imagineering a concept, even if it never happens it is someone getting their name out there with a concept. Majority of the concepts conceived never happen.

 

I think Stansted expansion is the best option.

[FLEX1978]

This is really old news.. The most the UK govt will be able to pull off is a third runway at Heathrow, Stansted & lately they have been talking about Gatwick as a proposed site.

[Clem Wu]

That is quite odd from my perspective, I'm sure they could find some space instead of on the river.

[Richbro]

I see this as an architect imagineering a concept, even if it never happens it is someone getting their name out there with a concept. Majority of the concepts conceived never happen.

 

I think Stansted expansion is the best option.

 

Living as I do at the end of 27L EGLL I couldn't agree more that Stansted and Gatwick should expand. It's getting to them by road from London that's the problem, and until a high speed infrastructure is in place they will never be efficiently used. And, so far at least, this kind of planning is not in the public domain.

 

Sorry guys, I get a bit heated about this subject. I'll get my coat...! :(

[shamrockflyer]

Or try an overrun at Gibraltar.

At least the sea isn't cold!

 

London should be happy with what they've got!

 

They have 4 main airports altogether, 3 of which take international flights. To build a new airport in the middle of the Thames just doesn't seem an efficient idea and would prove a difficult airport to maintain when fog, crosswinds etc..occur.

 

This would surely cost a few billion squids...They should fix the country of its financial problems, before spending on what they don't need!

[Matthew Kane]

It's getting to them by road from London that's the problem, and until a high speed infrastructure is in place they will never be efficiently used. And, so far at least, this kind of planning is not in the public domain.

 

I agree, high speed rail is necessary to make Stansted and Gatwick more accessible.

 

This would surely cost a few billion squids...They should fix the country of its financial problems, before spending on what they don't need!

 

Pretty much sums it up right there.

[Richbro]

Shamrock,

 

As long as we stay out of the Euro we'll be alright!

[FLEX1978]

 

 

I agree, high speed rail is necessary to make Stansted and Gatwick more accessible.

 

 

 

Pretty much sums it up right there.

 

Gatwick does have a high speed rail link to central London. Gatwick express runs via East Croydon & Clapham junction directly to Victoria and London bridge. It is faster to get to Gatwick then it is to Heathrow for most Londoner's.

[Richbro]

I agree about London to Gatwick, but Stansted enlargement is more feasible and to get there via the M25 and M11 can be a joke most days.A high speed rail link like that of Amsterdam to Schiphol is the only answer.

 

To get back into this debate my feeling is that Boris is right, but an easier answer around the same location is Manston with existing good road and rail links to London which can be updated if necessary. Freight movements could be linked to the new terminal being built on the north side of the estuary near Southend.

 

It would be nice not to be woken at 04.30 hrs by aircraft coming in from Asia.

[iwebber]

Living as I do at the end of 27L EGLL I couldn't agree more that Stansted and Gatwick should expand.

 

27L (and R) can't take any more traffic so if LHR were to get a third runway, you wouldn't have any extra aircraft over your house. Indeed, you may get less.

 

All the best,

 

Ian

[Richbro]

27L (and R) can't take any more traffic so if LHR were to get a third runway, you wouldn't have any extra aircraft over your house. Indeed, you may get less.

 

All the best,

 

Ian

 

I wish!!!

[tonywob]

This is another one of those stupid ideas that never comes to light. Not to mention the logistics of getting passengers/staff to and from the airport, the cost to airlines and passengers, and the overall hazards, this should be thrown away. The three regional London airports, Gatwick, Luton and Stanstead should instead get some investment, even if they are far way from the center, this makes more sense to me.