Representation by Brian Beecraft
- Date submitted
- 19 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly oppose this Gatwick Airport application for a northern runway because it is a new runway • Government Policy has been misinterpreted by the applicant as this is an application for a new runway which does not comply with policy in the Government’s Aviation Strategy. Gatwick does not have 2 runways ‘existing’ that it can operate concurrently. Previous Government Enquiries have ruled against a Gatwick second runway and the reasons for this decision have not changed. • A second runway would greatly increase aircraft noise with up to 386,000 flights a year including night flights. The further impact of aircraft noise on the physical and psychological wellbeing of those suffering needs to be investigated scientifically before any additional flights are approved. If there is a ban on night flights at Heathrow to protect residents, why is the same protection not afforded to those living around Gatwick? • The noise from aircraft is greater at night and on cloudy days and empirical evidence shows the 57 Db leq contours are wrong. If, as is claimed, an aircraft emits 57 Db at the limits of a 57 leq contour, why can the aircraft be heard over a Karcher domestic power washer on maximum which emits 91Db? • Gatwick sits on a single main road, the M23 which is deemed an unsafe smart road. The resultant huge increase in freight, passengers and workers will cause a significant increase in congestion on residential roads and an inevitable decline in air quality. At this time the issue of air pollution and impact on the atmosphere is rightly receiving attention. • The airport sits on the Brighton Main Line, which cannot be expanded. Gatwick seeks to add an unacceptable burden to the line with over 32m extra passengers and luggage. • Additional air and road emissions will result in a decline in air quality and contribute further to global warming, in conflict with government policy. We face a climate emergency, and a new runway would add a significant amount of carbon and greenhouse gases – Evidence CCC (2020) The Sixth Carbon Budget – Methodology Report. Prior to this of course would be the impact of constructing the additional runway and the new infrastructure required. • The local infrastructure for housing, schools, medical facilities, water supply and effluent disposal could not cope with the additional workforce required to increase Gatwick capacity 100%.