Representation by Jane Wilson
- Date submitted
- 16 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am very concerned about Gatwick's expansion plans. The plans would result in a very substantial increase of passengers and flights that would have a major and devastating environmental effect on communities and countryside. I do not believe that the government should be considering something that would be so detrimental to the environment at a time when we should be concentrating on how to limit climate change, meet carbon reduction targets and reduce air pollution. I am concerned about the extra noise that would be generated, especially for people that find themselves under flight paths. I have read that the noise envelope Gatwick has proposed is not consistent with government policy. The expansion would make Gatwick as big as Heathrow, Heathrow has a period of no flights during the night but I have seen nothing to suggest this will happen at Gatwick. Lack of sleep and exposure to high levels of noise have been shown to have a severe impact on mental health and well being. There would be a huge increase in passenger numbers but there are no plans for any extra rail services which are already heavily used. The increased road traffic would result in much more pollution and congestion. When the government decided on where any additional airport runway should be placed, Heathrow was chosen. It would be wrong and pointless to grant Gatwick an extra runway at this time. I believe, Heathrow's Northwest runway hasn't happened yet because of a drop in demand following Covid but if numbers resume the extra demand for flights should be met by the new Heathrow runway.