Representation by Sarah Leggett
- Date submitted
- 10 September 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a local resident, already severely impacted by noise from the airport, in terms of regular sleep disturbance, inability to entertain friends/family outside, thus reducing opportunities to socialise, and dirt from air pollution. I am not alone. These impacts are felt miles from Gatwick Airport, into Surrey, Kent and Sussex. Increasing the number of flights, as proposed, will increase the UK cancer burden. There are only two radiotherapy machines within a reasonable commute of Gatwick and no plans to build additional satellite centres to handle the inevitable increase in cancer patients that the extra jobs - and air pollution - would bring. East Surrey hospital is already at full capacity, with the discharge ward being utilised for patients requiring stays of weeks rather than hours. Cancer must not be allowed to win for the sake of expanding an already busy airport. Unemployment is already low in the area - additional jobs will only bring more people leading to further destruction of our vital and beloved green spaces, an increase in traffic and associated pollution, and innocent wildlife being displaced. I am sickened by the amount of roadkill in the South-East. I appeal to you as an upholder of health and important environmental issues. Let England be a 'green and pleasant land', able to supply cancer care to those in need, when they need it. Please help to reduce cardiovascular problems, cancer, dementia, breathing difficulties, and harmful sleep deprivation by rejectung plans to bring the Gatwick emergency runway into operation. Thank you.