Representation by Margaret Lesley Mears
- Date submitted
- 22 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly oppose the expansion of Gatwick on the following grounds. 1. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to bring the whole country down to this corner of Sussex. The M25 is already congested with frequent solid traffic jams. Local roads will be adversely affected. 2. There are no realistic proposals to improve train links and the inclusion of 'walkers and cyclists' in the specification is just ludicrous. 3. Housing projects are already eating away the green belt and houses in the SE are the most expensive in the country. 4. The SE is already an area where there is high employment compared with many other parts of the UK. The additional employment opportunities would be much more effective around Manchester, Birmingham or Stansted. 5. Pollution both noise and air quality in the area surrounding Gatwick is already high and there is nothing in the forseeable future which is likely to improve either of these factors. 5. This expansion is being proposed at the very time when the Government are trying to reduce C02 emissions and air traffic is one of the worst polluters. 6. Stansted Airport has much better motorway links, with spare capacity. Surely this would be a more economical and ecological option.