Representation by George Harding-Rolls
- Date submitted
- 23 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We are living through the beginnings of a climate crisis which will severely affect both the UK and the rest of the world. To be considering expansion of an airport precisely when we should be reducing emissions in this sector to be able to meet the UK's emissions targets, is irresponsible and blinkered. This is in addition to the serious adverse environmental effects of the airport expansion on the local area, due to increased road traffic, flooding risk and air pollution. The impact on rural communities is also already significant from the airport. The constant noise from aeroplanes, deviating from flight paths, evening flights, low flying aircraft, makes living in the area a struggle. Although it is called London Gatwick, it's not London, it's the countryside, and an incursion on the rural way of life. There is also not a proven need for the airport. Firstly from a competition perspective with the other airports in and around London, but also from a wider UK perspective. With the London adjacent airports accounting for almost 70% of air traffic, there is a need to level up other areas of the country, rather than hyperfixating on the south and London.