Representation by Stephen Bellamy
- Date submitted
- 19 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to the project on the following grounds because I believe it to be a new runway: 1. I am greatly concerned that the increased level of air traffic will have a detrimental impact on the level of noise and air pollution experienced by local residents. 2. I am greatly concerned that the increased traffic flow will exceed the safe capacity of the road network as well as the public transport network. The rail link is already at capacity, there is a single main road to the airport (M23), and bus transport is grossly inadequate. Increased demand will increase congestion and inconvenience for both air travellers and local residents. 3. The airport does not have two runways that can be used concurrently today so this is to all intents and purposes a new runway. This does not comply with the Government Aviation Policy. 4. Any promised increase in jobs appears to concentrate mainly on insecure low-skilled roles which will not benefit the local community as a whole. Other services, essential to the community, will suffer as increased competition for a limited workforce starves local industry and services. 5. The local infrastructure, including housing, education and healthcare does not have the capacity to absorb an increase in population. 6. The area is already under environmental pressure. The pollution and disturbance that will accompany this project will have an irreversible detrimental impact on the amenity of the area and on the health and quality of life of the people who live here. That is too great a price to pay to increase the profit margin of the Airport or for the convenience of people who merely travel through.