Representation by Betchworth & Buckland Society (Betchworth & Buckland Society)
- Date submitted
- 14 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
Dear Sir/ Madam, I am completing this form on behalf of the Betchworth & Buckland Society, which was formed in 1958 to protect the conservation and quality of life in our two villages, together with an objective of the control of local air traffic or any other risks concerning our environment. The proposal by the Gatwick Airport Authority to deploy a second runway represents a threat to our environment both in the air and on land. As travellers are forced to find alternative routes to Gatwick, due to the congestion and risk of road blocking accidents on the main M25/M23 route, both private cars and taxis are using the more reliable route through our villages and down through Leigh and Hookwood, to reach the airport. The narrow lanes that serve our villages were never built to sustain even the present level of traffic, with heavy lorries already using the B2032 to reach the A25 junction at Betchworth. That road, as it comes down Pebble Hill is narrow and potentially dangerous, especially in the winter months. Further traffic using these lanes, caused by the expansion at Gatwick would be detrimental for our environment and would further damage the poorly maintained road surfaces and present a risk to life and limb for our villagers. The other obvious impact that would be created by this proposed expansion is the further increase in the blight caused by aircraft movements, both in terms of noise and levels of pollution. It is not only flights from Gatwick that we endure, but also by departures, arrivals & stacking from Heathrow. Last year (2022), Gatwick saw huge passenger volumes of 32.9m – whereas Stanstead only saw 23.3m and Luton 13.3m. It must surely make more sense to develop the airports to the north of the capital, ahead of an already congested Gatwick airport. Notwithstanding that, even with the existing capacity, it is not uncommon for operations to be interrupted at Gatwick by the lack of human resources, causing huge inconvenience to travellers. Whilst any commercial business is driven by creating shareholder value in the form of profit and increased dividends for shareholders, it is surely time that we stop allowing demand in the aviation industry to dictate supply. The Betchworth & Buckland Society wants to minimise the damage we are doing both to the environment and to the lives of those living around these airports.