Representation by Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell Green Party (Mole Valley and Epsom & Ewell Green Party)
- Date submitted
- 26 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
In order to comply with legally binding carbon-reduction targets for transport, the proposal would necessitate a full network of out-of-road walking and cycling infrastructure, both for the airport area and that surrounding it. People with no car must be able to move around safely, requiring appropriate facilities. To compensate for the high increase in air and noise pollution, and in road congestion, the community must be provided with proper, connected, upgraded infrastructure to match that of the new walking and cycling shared-use path that meets the Longbridge roundabout. To cover installation of infrastructure to link conurbations where pavement is currently missing requires funding estimated at £2.5m. Further funding will also be required for continuation of the shared-use path from Westvale Park into Reigate. The current proposed walking & cycling access routes are wholly insufficient, especially as they are relied on by Gatwick workers on low pay (£14,000-£19,000 pa average cabin crew) working unsociable hours. There are personal safety barriers to using the public footpath round to Longbridge Roundabout and Riverside Park walk recommended in the proposal. It is not acceptable to have the only pedestrian access via a muddy public footpath through a park, Paved access should also be provided via the Povey Cross junction and along Perimeter Road North. Safe cycling access and the significant number of covered cycle parking that is no longer available to North Terminal must be replaced. There used to be about 100 cycle parking spaces here. We would like to see a funded cycle hire scheme introduced. We require a full protocol of (annual) road flood treatment maintenance for perpetuity. Currently, silt clogged rainwater drains, resulting in a serious puddling effect so vehicles push waves of sediment on the existing pavement which impacts pavement usability. Due to the polluted nature of this rainwater run-off, flood water management must be via filter drains (not by vegetative drainage(, as the road run-off contains many highly toxic substances including poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which would otherwise enter the watercourses. This is not permitted under law. Noise envelope calculations seem to be inaccurate. Night flights must be banned or significantly limited (to emergency use only.) Keeping windows open at night to release heat from buildings, as recommended by government, would not be possible with night flights. The claimed minimal impact on noise does not make sense. The claim that newer planes will be quieter than current ones will apply only to planes using the main runway, which will be larger planes, unable to use the new runway. So, the new runway will be used by older, noisier planes. Therefore noise impact needs to be recalculated according to correct projections on runway use. Residents need safe and inviting pedestrian links from Riverside Park on to the River Mole green space to allow travel to the west. Residents should be provided with a circular walk around the airport. Connecting existing public footpaths would be a relatively cheap and straight forward inclusion. Continuation of the public footpath neat Gatwick Museum would provide safe and pleasant access from Charlwood to the R Mole green space, which is a popular area for residents. Volume of rainwater run-off from the runway area is of significant concern. The proposed lifespan of the runway (40 yrs) is insufficient for a major infrastructure project and seems out of line with Government guidance. The Forum suggests a 75- to 100- year period would be more suitable. NPPF 006, ref id. 7-006-20220825. Insufficient consideration has been given to the impacts of climate change, and also to the contribution to climate change of this application. Gatwick should fund domestic air purification systems for local residents. They are being left out of pocket due to the need to install interior air purifiers in order to combat respiratory discomfort caused by poor air quality. Air quality will deteriorate with the increase in flights and road traffic. the proposal does not comply with global legally binding carbon emissions and climate change requirements. The impact of atmospheric chemtrails is not properly accounted for. Figures on their impact are too low. The proposal will damage the ancient woodland located between the R Mole and Charlwood Road. There are several protected species in the area, a hoopoe was heard in 2023. This is an extremely important area with respect to public amenity and wellbeing. The Museum field flood attenuation location appears to constitute a risk of synchronising flood waterin the R Mole, putting local properties at risk. In the event of a major flood event, emergency evacuation would be needed from the airport simultaneous to evacuation of the surrounding low-lying residential area of Horley, Hookwood and Charlwood. There ae very limited road evacuation options. Modeling needs to demonstrate how this is felt to be safe. Short term lag time does not appear to have been considered.