by business editor Trevor Sturgess

An airport in the Thames Estuary will not solve the region’s airport capacity problems, according to a business-led group.

Research commissioned by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP, covering private and public sector interests in Kent, Medway, Essex and East Sussex, found that expanding other airports such as Manston would meet short term business needs.

It said that a wide range of issues including cost, air space management, the time it would take to build and the impact it would have on the current Heathrow site, ruled out an airport in the estuary or the Isle of Grain as a feasible solution.

SELEP chairman John Spence, said: “As the country’s economic powerhouse the South East needs a transport infrastructure that helps business grow and flourish. This report shows us that business traffic is already being lost to the UK.

“It confirms the need for new capacity in the long term but the immediate need is for better utilisation of the capacity we have.

"We do not believe that a hub airport in the Thames Estuary is a viable short or medium term solution.

"It is vitally important that the government look at the capacity issues at Heathrow and Gatwick to address the situation now.”

Kent County Council and Medway council also oppose an estuary airport but business groups such as the Federation of Small Businesses have demanded more debate and details before it is rejected out of hand.

Many business people argue that would be good for jobs and the Kent economy. A delayed Government consultation paper on the issue is expected soon.