No one is going to build an airport with that has such a clearly identified safety risk....because no airline will fly from there as their own risk assessments will totally prevent this @:-)

I have yet to read any article where an airline has said "if it is built we will not operate from there on safety grounds". Some (including BA) have said they do not think a Thames estuary airport is viable....but NOT on safety grounds. But tthat would surely be their trump card to kill it dead and get the focus exclusively on LHR R3?

I simply don't accept that so many organisations (private and public) would continue to both promote it and fund it...to the tune of millions of pounds if it is such a huge safety risk that cannot be mitigated.

Am happy to be proven wrong of course.