Two firms provide expertise on Foster + Partners proposed scheme for new air traffic hub

Thames Estuary

Foster + Partners’ proposal for an airport in the Thames Estuary received a boost this week as consultant Davis Langdon and contractor Mace threw the weight of their expertise behind the scheme.

Building understands Davis Langdon is providing cost consultancy for the scheme, while Mace said it was providing “industry advice on construction timescales”.

Although, Mace said it was not engaged in the project and had only provided the advice on an informal basis.

Engineer Halcrow has been a part of the team behind the scheme since its launch in November 2011.

Earlier this month Foster + Partners claimed the scheme could be built within seven years if it had political will behind it.

But last week it emerged that less than a fifth of MPs backed the plan for a new Thames Estuary hub airport.

The scheme is one of a number of plans for boosting the UK’s airport capacity being floated by architects as Sir Howard Davies’ inquiry into the issue gets under way.