Appalling decision on Gatwick Airport expansion

The approval of the Northern runway at Gatwick Airport is an act of vandalism against countryside and climate – and economically-illiterate too.

Paul Steedman, Director, CPRE Sussex said:

“This is an appalling decision for local residents, the Sussex countryside and the global environment. What is, in practice, a new second runway, will bring more noise, congestion and air pollution to neighbouring communities and to the protected landscapes of the High Weald, Surrey Hills, Kent Downs and the South Downs National Park.

The single biggest threat to the countryside is climate change. This expansion will significantly increase greenhouse gas pollution – and the government is just crossing its fingers that unproven and unscalable technologies will magically make the problem go away.

Airport expansion won’t even deliver the boost to UK growth that the government wants. There has been no net increase in air travel for business purposes or in jobs in air transport since 2007. Recent research from the New Economic Foundation indicates that airport expansion will drive significant tourism revenue abroad, not bring it to the UK. To create the jobs of the future we need investment in low-carbon industries and transport, not more unsustainable expansion of the UK’s airports.”

We stand with local residents and CAGNE in opposing this decision. We’re considering our next steps.

Read:

www.gov.uk/government/news/gatwick-airport-northern-runway-development-consent-decision-announced