Representation by Graham Hanson
- Date submitted
- 19 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Noise: Aircraft noise has substantially increased in our local area, and expansion of Gatwick would significantly further increase aircraft noise both for those living near the airport and for those of us under flight paths. The noise envelope Gatwick has proposed are not consistent with government policy and CAA guidance and are wholly one-sided. They should be substantially revised. Night flights: A ban on night flights should be a condition of any expansion at Gatwick. The airport should also be required to set out a comprehensive package of measures to incentivise the use of the quietest aircraft at night outside the hours of a ban. Climate change and air pollution: As a family we are firmly committed to climate protection, and avoid flying as much as possible. Expansion on the scale proposed would increase very substantially the CO2 emissions and other climate effects associated with Gatwick’s operations and flights. Expansion of Gatwick would therefore have a material impact on the UK’s ability to meet its carbon reduction targets. Carbon emissions will also result from construction works and increased road traffic to the airport. Flights and traffic will make air pollution worse. Transport impacts: Gatwick’s targets to increase how many people bus, train, walk and cycle are insufficient to prevent a massive increase in road traffic around the airport. Traffic congestion in our local area, linked to Gatwick, and rail hubs, is already at a significant level. This increase in traffic would increase congestion on local roads and increase off-airport parking. Gatwick is not providing any extra rail services but the project will increase pressure on future train services, with the result that more passengers will have to stand on the mainline services between London and Brighton.