Any decision on calls for a new hub airport in the Thames estuary have been ruled out until at least the middle of next year, reports this morning claimed.
Even then ministers are unlikely to back the idea because of huge “practical difficulties” that they do not think can be overcome, The Times has reported.
This emerged as London Mayor Boris Johnson is due to put more pressure on the government to back plans for a new London airport hub in a speech to the Institute of Directors which he believes could boost the economy and generate tens of thousands of jobs.
Johnson’s idea will be considered by new transport secretary Justine Greening in spring 2012 as part of a major consultation on the future of aviation policy.
But sources emphasised that they would be one of a number of ideas, with others including smaller projects that would use military sites east of London, according to The Times report.
There had been suggestions of growing support for a new London airport in the Thames in Downing Street and even with Chancellor George Osborne. But sources told newspaper that the claims are “overblown” and the Treasury has not started considering the proposal.
Plans for another similar £50 billion scheme, on the Isle of Grain in Kent, have been put forward by Lord Foster.