The incredible £38bn plan to build a new airport in the middle of major UK river

A radical new proposal to build an airport in the middle of the River Thames has sparked controversy and debate in the UK over the years.

This ambitious and costly £38bn plan emerged as an alternative to the contentious third runway at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which has been a subject of heated discussion for years.

Former London Mayor and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch opponent of Heathrow's expansion, once famously declared he would lie in front of bulldozers to stop the third runway.

Instead, Johnson suggested a new airport in the Thames Estuary or the expansion of London Stansted Airport (STN) as the only viable solutions.

The idea of constructing a four-runway airport on the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estuary was touted by Johnson as a way to secure future connectivity and growth without severe public health impacts.

"If we are to secure the connectivity we need to support our future growth and prosperity and do so without dire impacts on public health - then we must do better than Heathrow", Johnson said.

"Our analysis predicts that they would offer around double the number of long-haul and domestic destinations served by Heathrow today while exposing 95% fewer people to significant aircraft noise. A four-runway hub to the east of London, rather than jarring with the growth of London, will support it, catalyzing regeneration and housing to the east."

Despite the bold vision, the plan has faced considerable opposition. Critics argue that building an airport in the Thames Estuary would pose substantial risks and challenges, potentially burdening taxpayers.

Reports suggest that constructing the new airport would necessitate the closure of Heathrow, leading to compensation claims exceeding £21 billion from its owners. Additionally, infrastructure improvements for roads and rail connections could cost up to £17 billion.

The Airports Commission, in its assessment, expressed significant doubts about the feasibility of the project. Their report indicated that the proposed Thames Estuary airport had substantial disadvantages that outweighed its potential benefits.

"We are not persuaded that a very large airport in the Thames Estuary is the right answer to London’s and the UK’s connectivity needs," the commission stated, highlighting the risks of delays, cost overruns, and uncertainties about economic and strategic benefits.

With the previous Conservative government, including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, favoring the third runway at Heathrow, and the Labour Party's focus on nationwide investments, the future of the Thames Estuary airport remains uncertain - but seems unlikely to ever go ahead.

For now, it seems this ambitious plan may remain just a bold idea, with the third runway at Heathrow appearing to be the more likely path forward. In fact, airport bosses have confirmed in recent days that it "will go ahead".