Representation by Nick Robins
- Date submitted
- 14 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I oppose Gatwick's expansion plan for the following reasons: - first, it will increase the release of greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for the worsening climate emergency. The plan thereby breaches the UK's legally binding commitments to reach net-zero by 2050. The independent Climate Change Committee believes that the UK is not on track to meet its existing carbon budget and so there is no room for major initiatives such as this which structurally increase emissions. All Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects need to fully align with the UK's national and international climate change commitments and not foreclose a diminishing carbon budget. - second, it would create more pressure on the local and regional rail and road networks serving the airport, with 76 million more passengers per year adding to a further decline in air quality as well as quality of life in the area. - third, it would undermine the government’s own aviation strategy. The proposal is for a new runway – not bringing an existing runway into regular use, as claimed.