HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1026-7
17. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider commissioning a feasibility study into a cross-estuary link in order to improve the economic viability of a Foulness Airport and to bring some economic benefit to North-East Kent.

Mr. Peter Walker

It is doubtful whether the additional traffic flows generated by the third London airport would, by themselves, justify a new cross-estuary link. The Government will, however, consider proposals for such a link in the context of the South-East Joint Planning Study.

Mr. Moate

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Is he aware that many people consider that a cross-estuary link, a tunnel or bridge, at this point would be economically and technically feasible and should be part of the planning of the airport at the outset and not left as a long-term possibility?

Mr. Walker

I must inform the House that the Government have recently announced their agreement to the construction of a second road tunnel between Kent and Essex at Dartford and that we are considering the possibility of a link lower down the river as part of our study of the South-East Region. The third London airport is not a major factor in this decision.