Why I'm backing Boris Island, by Windsor MP Adam Afriyie With the right plan, Heathrow will remain vibrant. Starting with 2 runways, largely dedicated to non-transfer flights, the coastal airport could be expanded in steps to eventually become the new world-class UK hub airport. Heathrow would be handed over to a handful of major airlines, such as BA and other world alliances, that would continue to use the capacity for interconnection and international trade. Once the new airport had reached a substantial stage of development, with perhaps 4 or more runways, operations would be switched. Heathrow would remain a vibrant airport, with largely non-transfer passengers, while the new coastal airport would become the UK's world-class international hub. The case for expanding Heathrow has not been made. The economics don't make sense. Sufficient transport links are not in place for expansion. The environmental problems, especially of night noise, have not yet been addressed. Other than a slowdown in demand, the evidence has not changed and I suspect that, following the Government's welcome consultation, the proposals for a third runway will be shelved. Yet for my constituents, British businesses and international travellers from Asia, Africa and the Americas, it is vital that we get on with building airport capacity in the South East. Right now we need politicians with the courage to make these decisions in the long-term national interest based on a sound analysis of the economic and environmental evidence. If Hong Kong could build a brand new offshore airport in a matter of years and France could twice move its national airport in a matter of decades, it should not be beyond a great engineering nation to do likewise. It simply requires political will. It would also be a disaster politically to lose the hard-gained support in areas such as Putney, Richmond and Brentford and Isleworth, if the Conservatives were to renege on a manifesto promise and Government commitment not to build the third runway at Heathrow. Thankfully the Prime Minister has made it clear that the no-third-runway policy remains in place. It seems likely that the upcoming White Paper will confirm both the rationale and the evidence supporting the current policy. Feeble short-term measures for a single short runway at Heathrow simply won't do. I speak for many MPs when I say that there is much merit in Boris Johnson's plan for an estuary airport. I will be working with my colleagues to support Boris to make his ambition a reality in the near future. Adam Afriyie is MP for Windsor