The government has indicated that it may allow Gatwick Airport to use its second runway more regularly, provided it meets certain environmental standards. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander mentioned that she is inclined to approve the plans for the airport, but the deadline for a final decision has been extended to the end of October.
One of the significant challenges facing Gatwick’s proposal is how to manage noise levels and improve public transportation to the airport. An initial review by the Planning Inspectorate highlighted these areas as concerns and advised against progressing with the scheme until improvements could be made.
As of now, Gatwick has not responded to the government’s announcement. The northern runway at the airport already exists, lying parallel to the main runway. However, it is not currently used for regular flights because it is too close to the main runway. Right now, it mainly serves as a taxiway, and it is only utilized for take-offs and landings when the main runway is closed.
To resolve this, Gatwick plans to move the northern runway 12 meters farther away from the main one. If both runways can operate simultaneously, the airport estimates that it could handle around 100,000 additional flights each year and create approximately 14,000 new jobs. The airport claims that the entire £2.2 billion project will not require any government funding, as it will be fully financed by private investments and could be completed by the end of the decade.
Gatwick Airport is already the second busiest airport in the UK and the busiest single runway airport in Europe. However, some community groups argue that the increase in air traffic could have a detrimental impact on the environment and adversely affect local residents.
This update comes shortly after the Chancellor announced support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport as part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the UK’s economy. However, it is important to note that the official planning process has yet to begin for this project, and even if everything goes smoothly, it is unlikely to be operational until the end of the decade because potential legal challenges might arise.
A spokesperson from the campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) welcomed the government’s decision to extend the planning period until October. They believe that the Secretary of State recognizes the numerous flaws in Gatwick’s proposals, noting that many questions remained unanswered during the planning discussions.
Doug Parr, the policy director for Greenpeace UK, shared his concerns about the impact of approving Gatwick’s expansion. He argued that such a decision would burden the country significantly by ignoring evidence that growing air travel does not necessarily lead to economic growth. Instead, it could worsen issues related to air pollution, noise, and climate emissions.
As the situation develops, many will be watching to see how the government balances economic growth ambitions with the need for environmental protections and community concerns.