An alien metropolis or the solution to London's transport problems? Architects unveil futuristic plans for 'Boris Island' airport in Thames Estuary

Plan by architects Gensler, includes four runways tethered to the sea bed

Gensler says new runways could be floated in - allowing for expansion

It is claimed London Mayor Boris Johnson has seen the proposal

It looks like an alien mothership - but it could be London's new airport.

That's according to a major global architecture firm who have unveiled their vision for a 'Boris Island' airport in the Thames Estuary.

The London Britannia Airport, designed by architects Gensler, includes four floating runways tethered to the sea bed.



Gensler says new runways could be floated in as required - allowing for future expansion to accommodate six landing strips.



The mothership: An artist's impression of how the airport could look Passengers would check in and arrive at terminals on the land.

Two would be located to the north and south of the estuary and a third central London terminal is proposed between Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next Cameron plots revenge on Boris over Heathrow outbursts and... Any plot for me to take on Cameron in 2015 'is complete... Share this article Share The Evening Standard reported today that London Mayor Boris Johnson, who in the past backed proposals for a Thames island airport, dubbed 'Boris Island', has seen the Gensler proposal. A spokesman for the Mayor said: 'This will form, along with other significant submissions, an important part of discussions going forward.'



Where the proposed floating airport island would be placed, in the Thames Estuary off the coast of Kent Heathrow Airport would close under the scheme and become a new eco-city and 'the largest urban expansion project in Europe', with housing for around 300,000 people Expansion: Debate has raged for years over a third runway at Heathrow

The airport would be connected to London by high-speed rail.



Gensler has built airports all over the world and unveiled the plans in a bid to be considered as the designers for any future airport project.

Ian Mulcahey, project director, said: 'Because this airport is floating it could be positioned in an optimal location after you evaluate flight paths, bird migrations and all the rest of the issues in the estuary. There's a lot of flexibility.'

Boris Johnson was pictured doing his best to keep the Olympic spirit alive by going for an early morning run

The London Mayor was then snapped getting on his bike to go to work after performing a few stretches

Mr Mulcahey added: 'It absolutely could be done. It's all fairly standard technology and marine engineering is what we're good at in Britain.

'The idea of floating runways is fairly basic stuff - we're just proposing it on a scale, perhaps, that has never been done before.



'We're locked in a political debate about whether to build a little runway extension [at Heathrow] or whether we build a proper airport.

'This could be an airport for the next 100 years.'



The Gensler scheme would see Heathrow Airport close and become a new eco-city and 'the largest urban expansion project in Europe', with housing for around 300,000 people.

However, the Government has said there will be no firm decisions on UK airport expansion before the next general election.

Ministers have come under intense pressure from business to approve a third runway at Heathrow, Britain's only international hub airport, but the issue has led to bitter in-fighting within the Tory party.



Some Tories are calling for a U-turn, with former minister Tim Yeo saying the issue was a test of whether the Prime Minister is a 'man or a mouse'.

The Chancellor George Osborne, who is in charge of election policy for the Tories, has also opened the door for the Conservatives to complete a U-turn on the third runway issue.

But Mr Johnson said it would be a 'disaster' while the MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston Zac Goldsmith warned he would stand down at the next election if his party does not block expanding Britain's biggest airport.

A decision on whether to support any of the recommendations in an independent commission’s final report will be taken after 2015, new Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said last week.

Mr McLoughlin said: 'This is a very difficult debate, but the reality is that since the 1960s Britain has failed to keep pace with our international competitors in addressing long-term aviation capacity and connectivity needs.'

He went on: 'The Government believes that maintaining the UK’s status as a leading global aviation hub is fundamental to our long-term international competitiveness.

