黑洞社区

A consortium including architect Gensler has unveiled new designs for its proposed 拢47.3bn London Britannia Airport in the Thames estuary.

Gensler dropped its own plan for a floating airport in the estuary in January in favour of joining forces with rival consortium the Thames Estuary Research and Development (Testrad) and together in July submitted joint proposals for a fixed airport in the estuary to the government鈥檚 Davies Commission, which is examining UK airport capacity.

Yesterday evening, Testrad revealed more detailed plans and fresh visualisations in a presentation given to MPs and Lords in the House of Lords.

The new scheme rivals Foster + Partners鈥� proposal for an airport at the nearby Isle of Grain, as well as proposals to expand London鈥檚 other airports.

Testrad鈥檚 proposed estuary airport would involve six fixed runways built in the Thames estuary, linked by a tunnel to Ebbsfleet in Kent and then on to London via High Speed One.

Testrad claims its proposal would be the cheapest, thanks to 拢47bn recouped from closing Heathrow and turning it into a new 300,000-home residential London borough.

The consortium also argues it could be built in seven years, thanks to lower planning restrictions out in the estuary.

The Testrad consortium also includes experts covering marine, environment, transport and aviation matters, including Ramboll, which is providing transport infrastructure consultancy.