Representation by Sarah Butler
- Date submitted
- 2 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As the world tries to cut its carbon emissions - and the UK tries to reach its Net Zero targets - we must limit the use of air travel rather than seek to expand it. It is madness to expand Gatwick at this time. We do not have the technology now - or imminently for low-carbon air travel. Increasing passenger numbers will increase carbon emissions from the flights themselves (Gatwick's figures do not include the whole flight, only takeoff and landing, so are misleadingly low), from travel to and from the airport by passengers and by staff, and by the need to increase infrastructure around the airport. Noise pollution is already appalling, even 20 miles from Gatwick, and is 24-hour, 265 days a year. It is damaging residents' health - endless sleepless nights are having a serious effect on many, many people's wellbeing. Gatwick pretends that its expansion would bring needed employment to the area. Instead it will suck employees from local businesses and drag in many more from outside the area because there is high employment already locally. Where will these new staff live? How will they travel to work? Where will their families go to school, get medical care? The emergency runway is exactly that. It is not a second runway. To convert it into one will require moving it, despite Gatwick's misleading claims.