My solution:
Heathrow - long/medium-haul flights only.
Gatwick - short/medium-haul flights only.
Manston - overflow.
One of the largest runways in the UK, two miles from a high-speed trainline which is 35mins from Central London. 'All you need' is a new terminal. And, before you complain about noise: Heathrow is to Hatton Cross as Manston is to Ramsgate. The latter airport is no closer to conurbations than Heathrow...
My solution would cost less than 10% of Boris Island... but it wouldn't provide a port or a new Thames Barrier. Any thoughts?
It leaves Stansted, Luton and Southend untouched to do whatever the hell they like and we don't even have to tarmac over swathes of the countryside or destroy hundreds of houses!
