Forget having an airport off the Isle of Sheppey… we’ll be lucky if the area still exists Boris!

South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman has warned that a mass evacuation from the Isle and potential damage to the area could occur if plans to build an airport in the Thames Estuary went ahead.

The move is being mooted by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Ladyman claims an airport could not be built without, first of all, moving the warship, SS Richard Montgomery, which sunk during the Second World War.

But in doing so, he warns this would destroy the area and lead to the evacuation of Sheppey and parts of south Essex.

“It is absolute nonsense,” Mr Ladyman said.

“He should have done some research on the SS Richard Montgomery, which is full of explosives that sank during the Second World War.

“The current advice is that it is perfectly safe if it is left alone but if it is disturbed it would destroy a huge area.

“If you wanted to build an airport you would have to move the warship and then evacuate Sheppey and a big chunk of south Essex.

“It would cost billions just to move that ship never mind building the airport there and all the environmental consequences involved.”

Mr Ladyman is the latest MP to speak out against the London Mayor’s plans to build a 24-hour airport in the Thames Estuary, possibly off the coast of Sheppey.

But Mr Ladyman believes it is not for the people of Kent to sort out his political problem.

He said: “Boris Johnson has a political problem in west London with people who don’t want Heathrow to expand and he thinks that he can dump that problem on Kent. But I think it is time we make it very clear in Kent this is not an acceptable option. Kent County Council need to make their voice known that it is not acceptable because if they don’t the proposal is going to start getting credibility.”