Heavy lifting: Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless holding the ballot papers that have been returned to his constituency office

by Alan McGuinness

EXCLUSIVE

The Thames Estuary airport ballot will be extended to cover Rochester and Strood.

Conservative activists funded a poll for residents living on the Hoo Peninsula earlier this year, in a move led by MP Mark Reckless, whose constituency covers the area.

The peninsula has a population of more than 20,000 and includes villages like Cliffe and Grain, which have both been suggested as possible sites for an airport.

The idea of a Thames Estuary airport first began to resurface when Boris Johnson was elected Mayor of London five years ago.

Since then Mr Johnson has been relentlessly pushing the idea, and numerous architectural firms have picked up the gauntlet laid down by him and come forward with plans.

The government has set up a commission to solve the thorny issue.

Headed by economist Sir Howard Davies, it is due to issue an interim report at the end of this year which will narrow down the options.

A final report is due after the next election in 2015.

So far more than 10,000 ballot papers have been delivered, of which around 3,700 have been returned.

More than 95% of respondents have said they don’t want an airport.

Cllr Chris Irvine (Con), who represents the peninsula and works in the office of Mr Reckless, confirmed to the Medway Messenger people living in the rest of the constituency would now be able to have their say.

He said: "We’ve placed the order for 30,000 extra ballots; it’s the logistics now – getting the ballots delivered to the rest of the constituency."

Volunteers hope to deliver the ballots towards the end of this month.

Volunteers get ready to burn the shoe leather delivering the ballots earlier this year

Mr Reckless, who is pictured clutching the papers that have been returned so far, said he had been "overwhelmed" by the response.

He said: "Local councillors, activists and residents have been working their socks off to get the ballot paper to every household on the Hoo Peninsula and the interim result speaks for itself."

The ballot has been criticised by the Labour party, who have long campaigned for a referendum across Medway on the issue.

This would be held on a specific day, with voters going to polling stations to cast their vote.

The party claims this would send a strong message to the government that an airport is not wanted.

Opponents claim it would cost up to £250,000 – money the council doesn’t have.

Richmond Council in west London is currently holding its own referendum to give residents the chance to express their views on a third runway at Heathrow.

The cost of this is £67,000, which Labour leader Cllr Vince Maple said is evidence that the sky high costs quoted by opponents aren’t true.