Representation by Philip Martin Andrews
- Date submitted
- 18 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I oppose Gatwick Airport's application for a northern runway because: It is a new runway – policy has been misinterpreted as this is an application for a new runway and does not comply with policy or the Government’s Aviation Strategy. Gatwick does not presently have 2 runways that it can operate concurrently so therefore it is a new runway being constructed. There will also be an increase in aircraft noise due to the projected additional 101,000 flights a year to a cap of 386,000. Lack of affordable local housing locally to enable workers to walk or cycle to work as the applicant proposes, and lack of amenities and infrastructure for any proposed housing. Low skilled jobs are to be offered with little job security due to the uncertain nature of the airport’s leisure businesses and Gatwicks stated objective to automate systems to reduce staff and increase efficiency. Gatwick sits on the M23, a single main road, which has been deemed an unsafe smart road. The huge increase in freight, passengers and workers will cause a significant increase in congestion and polution on the M23 and routes to and from the airport including extra traffic on residential roads, seriously affecting air quality. Brighton Main Rail Line cannot be expanded. Gatwick wants to add an unachievable extra 32m passenge journeys. With the impending climate emergency, a new runway at Gatwick would add significant amounts of carbon and greenhouse gases – Evidence CCC (2020) The Sixth Carbon Budget – Methodology Report.