The consultation on the expansion of Heathrow and the widespread publicity of Heathrow's problems led to a sudden reawakening of the idea for an alternative hub airport in the Thames estuary, Gatwick or Stansted. Led by the Sunday Times and quickly followed by other newspaper, politicians and organisations (the Town and Country Planning Association) called for the closure of Heathrow and a new hub airport to be built in the manner of Hong Kong. The Secretary of State for transport faced down this call in Parliament emphasising the importance of Heathrow to the British economy.
展开▼
