Boris's plane plan mustn't take off

3.30.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th Sep 2008

Commenting on the Conservatives announcement for investment in high speed rail to decrease demands for an extra runway at Heathrow and a possible new North Kent airport. Duncan Borrowman Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Old Bexley & Sidcup said:

"I am delighted that the Conservatives have finally woken up to the need to invest in high speed rail rather than more runways. Although as Greenpeace say "The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto."

"But what does this do to Boris Johnson's ill thought plans to build a massive new airport off the Isle of Sheppey in Kent? Surely it must now be grounded. What we need to hear is Boris binning his plan this week at the Conservative conference before it has a chance to get wings, and not spending any London taxpayers money on a feasibility study into yet another blot on the North Kent coast just a few miles from the Kingsnorth coal-fired power station."