The UK Transport Secretary is on the verge of making a pivotal decision regarding the expansion of Gatwick Airport, the nation's second-largest airport. Established in 1958, Gatwick currently serves over 40 million passengers annually, earning its title as Europe’s busiest single-runway airport.
The proposed expansion involves converting Gatwick's existing emergency runway into regular use, potentially increasing its capacity to approximately 75 million passengers each year by the late 2030s. This significant growth is expected to spur economic benefits, including the creation of up to 35,000 new jobs and an annual economic boost of around $2.5 billion.
Proponents of the expansion argue that it will not only enhance the airport's operational capacity but also contribute substantially to the UK's economic landscape. However, this proposal has sparked a divided opinion among various stakeholders.
Local residents and environmental activists have voiced strong concerns about the potential negative impacts. Noise and Pollution vs Jobs and Economy
\"You have to understand that Gatwick is 24/7, so it flies over at night-time,\" said Sally Pavey, Chair of Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions. \"For the people trying to sleep, that is really not good news, especially as Gatwick is quiet in the winter and busy in the summer. When people want to sit in their gardens or have the windows open… they have noise like that going over their houses.\"
Peter Barclay, Chairperson of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, echoed these sentiments. \"You certainly feel the vibration,\" he explained. \"A number of people will tell you about their front door rattling, their windows rattling, and it's not necessarily immediately by the runway. I know people who live about a mile and a half further out.\" Barclay also highlighted environmental concerns, stating, \"The carbon emission impact is absolutely critical. Reaching net zero will be more difficult if Gatwick expands.\"
The Transport Secretary's decision will need to balance these economic advantages against the environmental and community challenges, shaping the future trajectory of Gatwick Airport and its role in the UK's transport infrastructure.
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Divided opinion over possible expansion of UK's second-biggest airport
cgtn.com
