The issue surrounding the UK’s airport capacity has led to controversy, with the current phase pitting Heathrow against Gatwick in a bid to decide which of the South East’s airports should be granted a second runway. However, it seems that Heathrow may be edging ahead in the debate as two local councils have now reversed their decision to support Gatwick’s bid.
Kent County Council announced in November that it would be withdrawing its backing for a second runway at Gatwick Airport, as it felt the new flight paths resulting from the expansion would prove detrimental to the wellbeing of local residents. Now, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has also reversed the decision to support the expansion taken in July 2013, with a vote of 37 councillors to 26 carrying the vote.
Explaining WSCC’s position, Councillor Pieter Montyn called the second runway debate an “extremely emotive subject”.
He continued; “Councillors believed that Gatwick has not, to date, put forward sufficient evidence to counter the very serious environmental and noise fears of local residents.
“However, irrespective of our position, our role now is to start planning for the future.
“The decision about the runway will be made by government so we have a responsibility and duty to plan for either scenario – second runway at Gatwick or not.”
The official response by WSCC has been submitted to the Airports Commission as part of a 20 page document detailing potential improvements which could be made to Gatwick’s current plan of action. WSCC believes that this document should be carefully considered and the most pressing concerns addressed before airport executives submit any proposal for a Gatwick expansion to the government.
At present the Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, is considering three potential scenarios for the future of the UK’s airport capacity – the additional runway at Gatwick, the construction of a third runway at Heathrow and an extension of one of the existing runways at Heathrow. It has already rejected numerous other ideas, including the construction of a new “super hub” airport in the Thames Estuary backed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
Of course, while no decision will be announced by the Airports Commission until after the general election held later this year, it has become apparent that the UK’s current aerospace capacity is decidedly lacking. As regional cities, including Birmingham and Manchester, become more prominent as international business and tourist destinations, airports are increasingly struggling to accommodate the growing number of passengers travelling to Britain.
Gatwick executives claimed they were “disappointed” by WSCC’s decision, but maintained that an additional runway at their airport posed the best possible scenario for the future especially considering the economic boost and job creation a larger airport would entail.
In a statement, they said; “We will continue to work closely with West Sussex County Council to illustrate the benefits that expansion will deliver.
“Gatwick is doing as much as possible to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on local residents.”
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