Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on speculation that the Boris Johnson has asked Transport for London to examine proposals for an airport on the Hoo peninsula near Gravesend in Kent, said:
“Why is Boris Johnson so determined to inflict extra misery on London and the South East? First we had the proposals for the fantasy "Boris Island"; plans that were totally condemned by Medway and Kent County Councils and the local MPs. Even the Mayor has made totally contradictory statements about whether or not he supported an airport in that location.
"Now we discover that the Mayor’s deputy at Transport for London has been asked to hatch up ideas and find another site for an airport in Kent to serve London.
“If Boris Johnson is so confident that what Kent and London needs is a new airport he should stop running away from meeting elected representatives in the area and tell them what he wants. He should ensure all discussions about any airport in the Thames estuary, on the Hoo peninsula or in any other areas, no longer take place behind closed doors. He should enter into an honest and public debate.
"Above all, the Mayor of London should concentrate on London's and Londoners' transport needs. He should put all his efforts into encouraging high speed rail links and stop wasting taxpayers' money on unnecessary and unwanted airport projects."
You can also read an article, including Caroline's comments, on the Planning Blog website.