LONDON CLIFFE AIRPORT looks like it is a non-starter before even conception. Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling has announced publication of a study into the risks of collisions between birds and aircraft at the proposed north Kent airport. Undertaken jointly by the Central Science Laboratory and the British Trust for Ornithology it came to the conclusion that without a comprehensive and aggressive bird management programme incorporating careful and considered airport design, appropriate habitat management and active bird control, an airport could not operate safely at Cliffe. Even with management and mitigation measures in place, the hazard proposed by birds was severe and would probably be higher than at any other major UK airport, the report concluded. It looks like a no-go. www.dft.gov.uk