It has been claimed, yet again, that, rather than building a 3rd runway at Heathrow, it would be better to create an entirely new airport (a la Hong Kong) on an artificial island in the Thames estuary (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article5489413.ece). The advocates of the scheme maintain that such an airport could operate 24 hours a day (without noise pollution blighting the lives of many people under the flight paths) and that high speed rail links could rapidly transport passengers into London. All this may be true but a Thames-located, 24/7 airport would cause considerable problems for resident bird populations in that area. They could also constitute a hazard for the flights. Birds don't vote but a proper impact assessment is needed before the estuary scheme is floated as a real viable alternative.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Monday, 12 January 2009
A Runway in the Thames?
It has been claimed, yet again, that, rather than building a 3rd runway at Heathrow, it would be better to create an entirely new airport (a la Hong Kong) on an artificial island in the Thames estuary (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article5489413.ece). The advocates of the scheme maintain that such an airport could operate 24 hours a day (without noise pollution blighting the lives of many people under the flight paths) and that high speed rail links could rapidly transport passengers into London. All this may be true but a Thames-located, 24/7 airport would cause considerable problems for resident bird populations in that area. They could also constitute a hazard for the flights. Birds don't vote but a proper impact assessment is needed before the estuary scheme is floated as a real viable alternative.
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