Representation by Richard N C Perkins
- Date submitted
- 26 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The main access for passengers and airport workers will be by road. There is no Underground, as for Heathrow, and the only rail link is the main line to Brighton which is already overcrowded. An expansion of the rail link from London will involve tunnelling because of the North Downs - think HS2. This means that Gatwick's clientele will be, or should be, leisure travellers from the South East. Is there a need for expansion from current levels to serve a relatively small geographical area? My comments about overcrowding of rail links apply equally to the M25 and frequent congestion. Gatwick Airport is located in, or more accurately, overflies areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the Greensand Hills and the North Downs. An expanded Gatwick would cause significant traffic and environmental pollution to these areas and the residents. In summary, there is no need for an expanded Gatwick to serve its regional catchment, The transport links are inadequate and not easily expanded (and at whose cost?) but it would have significant societal cost in environmental pollution.