Local authorities have thrown their weight behind plans for a new super-airport in Kent.

They say that a site at Cliffe marshes is the "visionary solution" to airport congestion in the south of England.

BBC transport correspondent Simon Montague reports that a big group of local councils from outside Kent say it is the best option in Britain - a giant new airport, with four or five runways, operating day and night.

Cliffe is the best site in the South East

Jim Bailey SASIG Director

The Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG) represents more than 70 local authorities and 23 million people affected by airports in England.

Jim Bailey, is director of the Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group

"Cliffe is the best site in the South East. Lets make this certain, we are planning this airport in the best possible way.

"We want people to have the benefit of flying out of the UK from the best possible location."

The government proposals, which also include three new runways at Stansted and a third runway at Heathrow, are designed to cope with the expected surge in demand for air travel over the next 30 years.

Bird habitat

The forecasts are for half a billion extra passengers a year, by 2030.

The proposed site at Cliffe on the Thames estuary is being opposed by environmentalists because it is a breeding ground for birds.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has also said 1,100 homes in the area will be lost to pave the way for the airport.

But the councils say the new airport, which would be twice the size of Heathrow, would spread the burden of people who live near established airports at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

Flight noise

They say there would be good links to London, and not many people affected by aircraft noise.

A DfT report found that up to 62,000 homes will hear air traffic noise if the four runways are built.

The plans have angered local residents, who have formed a campaign group, No Airport at Cliffe.

Spokeswoman Joan Goddard said: "Many thousands of people's lives will be blighted by the plans.

"Why should people who pay �15 think it gives them the right to fly wherever they want to from wherever they want to?

"Where do human rights for the people who live nearby come into this?"