TEACO's estuarial airport proposal challenges the options put forward by Government in 'The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation' (July 2002) and directly questions the Government's consultation process concerning the future provision of runway capacity in the south-east of the UK. The proposal is a radical and visionary solution to the issues. Although no off-shore option was included in the DfT consultation documents, it is evident that there is already substantial public support for an off-shore airport to serve the south-east.
TEACO, after many years of negotiation, has in place an unequivocal and irrevocable commitment of funds necessary to design and construct MARINAIR and all necessary infrastructure. MARINAIR will meet all future capacity demand and will ensure that, the economic benefits generated by a high quality and competitive air transport system continue to be available to the UK economy. TEACO urges Government to delay any decision on its present consultation process until the benefits of the TEACO proposal have been properly assessed. It is our belief that MARINAIR is worthy of public consultation alongside all other options.
Studies have shown that there are no insuperable problems in building and operating such an airport and that, compared with other options under consideration, social and environmental impacts are minimal. An off-shore site will also provide the greatest opportunity for future expansion, as demand warrants.
With the necessary funding already secure, the MARINAIR project should be accepted by Government as the optimum solution to the provision of runway capacity within the south east of England. TEACO will commission world-class professional organisations to continue with development of the necessary studies for successful implementation of the project. Such studies will include consultation with ALL interested parties (including Government, regulatory and planning authorities, existing airports, airlines, representative public bodies, etc, etc.).
MARINAIR will, of course, be part of a national and international air transport system. It is anticipated that the consultation processes will include consideration of immediate and short term capacity requirements and how these might be accommodated prior to the completion of MARINAIR .
Some people make things happen,
Some watch things happen,
While others wonder what has happened.
