Government Delays Decision on Gatwick’s Second Runway
The government has announced that it is likely to approve plans for a second runway at Gatwick Airport to be utilized more regularly; however, the final decision has been postponed until October. On Thursday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed that she was “minded to approve” the proposal, contingent upon certain conditions being met, including measures to mitigate noise impact.
Originally expected to receive the green light on Thursday, Alexander’s statement revealed that the decision would be deferred for nine months until October 27. This additional time aims to gather feedback from all stakeholders regarding the necessary provisions.
Residents of Charlwood village in Surrey, located just a mile from the airport, have expressed strong opposition to the expansion. They conveyed their concerns to The i Paper, indicating that the development would be “devastating,” leading to increased noise pollution, heightened traffic congestion, and significant environmental degradation. Julie Jones, a local resident, stated, “This massive, massive increase will just swallow up this historic village of Charlwood that’s been around for hundreds and hundreds of years.”
Gatwick’s plan involves moving its northern runway, currently designated for taxiing and as a backup, into full operational use by 2030. This development, estimated to cost around £2.2 billion, is projected to enhance the airport’s capacity by two-thirds, accommodating 75 million passengers annually and resulting in an additional 100,000 flights per year.
John Shelley, another resident of Charlwood, voiced his apprehensions, stating, “We’ve always had Gatwick as a grey cloud over us. The concept of enlarging it is absolutely devastating.” He lamented that while he has deep-rooted connections to the village, many might feel compelled to relocate due to the unbearable noise and disruption. “Gatwick has 24/7 noise,” he explained, adding that the current disturbances are already significant. “We get woken up at five o’clock in the morning with airplanes and can’t sleep at half past 11 due to the noise.”
Concerns Over Local Infrastructure
The government has granted Gatwick until April 24 to address how it plans to meet various provisions, such as implementing noise reduction strategies and ensuring a significant proportion of passengers utilize public transport to alleviate road congestion. However, local residents doubt the effectiveness of these measures in mitigating the adverse effects of the expansion.
Mr. Shelley, who lives in a listed building, raised a critical point about sound insulation, stating, “My walls are thin. It’s 400 years old. How can you insulate that from sound? You can’t.” He emphasized that, given the rural nature of the area, residents will likely be outdoors during warmer months, making it impossible to avoid noise pollution.
Julie Jones, who owns 52 The Street Cafe in Charlwood, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the age and historical significance of many buildings in the village. “Sixty percent of the buildings in the village are extremely old and listed. You can’t just stick insulation on the 11th-century church with beautiful stained glass windows,” she remarked. “During the summer, you notice noise pollution; if you want to be in the garden or keep your window open, you can’t.”
Moreover, she pointed out the existing pollution issues, stating, “There is a sort of black, sooty film on a lot of things outside – it’s pollution from the airport – and that’s without the expansion.” She further emphasized that the real concern lies in the infrastructure, which is already under strain. “The infrastructure is groaning,” she noted, mentioning the gridlock that ensues during accidents or breakdowns on the M23 or M25 motorways.
Jones added, “Charlwood, with its narrow lanes, is used as a bit of a rat run to get to Gatwick,” which has exacerbated congestion as people park in the village. Mr. Shelley reiterated the sentiment, stating, “Already we have very busy roads, a motorway that blocks regularly, and full trains. How can the infrastructure cope with even more traffic? It’s going to destroy the charm of living here.”
Questioning Economic Benefits
Residents are also skeptical about the economic advantages that the government and airport officials claim will result from the expansion. Gatwick’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, has projected that the development will create 14,000 jobs and generate an additional £1 billion annually in economic benefits across the UK.
“Gatwick is primarily for people going on holiday, so you’re essentially shipping people out to France, Spain, and beyond,” Ms. Jones argued. “How does that help our local economy? They tout job creation, but the South East already has low unemployment.”
She questioned where the workforce would come from, stating, “Thousands of employees will need to be transported in to work at the enlarged airport, which will only add to traffic and environmental issues.” Jones also highlighted that there are many areas in the north of England that would greatly benefit from such job opportunities.
Community Commitment to Fight
Gatwick, located in West Sussex, ranks as Britain’s second-busiest airport and is Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, having served 40 million passengers last year. Planning inspectors initially rejected the expansion under its current proposals. Even if the transport secretary grants approval in October, the project will still require planning permission.
For the residents of Charlwood, this represents yet another chapter in a long-standing battle. “We’re a very strong village, and we will continue to fight,” Mr. Shelley affirmed. “The councils don’t want this. The county councils don’t want this. The MPs don’t want this. It’s all profit-driven. We will continue to resist it.”
Ms. Jones emphasized that their objection is not against the airport itself, which has been part of the landscape for many years. “We’ve coexisted with it for a long time. But if you triple the number of planes flying over us, day and night, there will be no respite whatsoever.”
Looking ahead, she expressed cautious optimism about the delay in decision-making. “It was a pleasant surprise that it’s being pushed back to October. But we’ve encountered this before, many times. This struggle has been ongoing for 50, 60 years. For us, the fight continues.”
