Representation by Alan Mitchell
- Date submitted
- 24 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
• From a single runway to two: Gatwick Airport (“Gatwick”) say they will be bringing the existing Northern runway into routine use. In fact, this runway is currently NEVER USED in everyday terms, as it exists purely for use in emergencies. Furthermore, the emergency runway will have to be removed and RECONSTRUCTED with a 12 metres additional spacing from the Southern runway for safety reasons. In effect, therefore, Gatwick are proposing to EXPAND from a single runway to TWO RUNWAYS, rather than merely making best use of what they already have, as they disingenuously claim. • Aircraft noise: The resulting HUGE EXPANSION in aircraft capacity, approaching doubling to a magnitude similar to Heathrow’s current capacity, will inevitably result in even more noise pollution for surrounding communities. Apart from the Crawley/Horley conurbation, the surrounding areas are predominantly rural; aircraft noise is much more intrusive in rural communities than in urban communities. It is bad enough already for aircraft flying on Departure Route 4, and will be intolerable if Gatwick Airport were to add a second runway. Furthermore, a significant number of Gatwick flights currently overfly the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Even with Gatwick’s current single runway, the amenity value of the AONB is seriously degraded by aircraft noise; the noise pollution implications of a second runway are unthinkable for the AONB. Newer aircraft seem to be just as noisy and intrusive as older ones. • Climate change and air pollution: Another serious consequence of the resulting HUGE EXPANSION in flights will be the MASSIVE DAMAGE caused to the environment by the additional aircraft emissions, further exacerbating climate change and air pollution. Unlike in the case of propulsions units for land transport, no commercially viable renewable alternatives to powering aircraft with aviation fuel are in prospect. Tackling climate change is a national/government priority, which Gatwick’s expansion plans inevitably serve to undermine. • Transport links: The principal transport links to/from Gatwick (M23, local A roads, London-Brighton and Reading to Gatwick railway lines) are already running close to capacity. Existing infrastructure will not be able to handle the extra traffic volume caused by further significant expansion of the airport. • Additional employment: Gatwick trumpet the (allegedly 14,000) extra jobs that will be created. If this estimate is correct, how will local public facilities cope with the additional employees’ need for more housing, schools, GP practices, hospitals, upgrading of highways, etc., and where will these be built and who will pay? In any case, in the mid to longer term, Gatwick will undoubtedly use computer technology, Artificial Intelligence and other forms of automation to lessen reliance on human resources, to reduce costs and increase profitability. • Profit or Local Communities? Gatwick’s main incentive to build a second runway is then to sell the airport on at vast profit. What matters more – Gatwick’s greed or the wishes of the majority of the tens of thousands in local communities affected by Gatwick’s expansion, who want a quieter, healthier and greener future?