Gatwick: Second Runway by Stealth
Gatwick has applied for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to bring its emergency runway into routine use: a move that would see annual passenger numbers increase from 49 million passengers in 2019, to 79 million. The proposed construction would start in 2024 and be completed by 2029.
When fully operational the project would allow up to 60,000 more flights per year than in 2019. In addition, Gatwick intends to operate another 40,000 flights, by making greater use of its main runway, which would not require any planning consent. The runway expansion would include concreting of green areas, construction works to taxiways, terminals, three new hotels, additional facilities and highways. All of which would have a detrimental impact on the environment and rivers.
The proposal is a response to government's advice: to maximise existing capacity. This represents a wilful blindness to the environmental and climate impacts of such a massive infrastructure project.
The Aviation Environment Federation has calculated that the proposed runway and passenger growth would add one million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2050, making a mockery of climate commitments.
Aviation not only emits carbon dioxide, but also nitrous oxide, which is 300 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2. In addition to climate impacts, the already over-heated South East will experience more noise and light pollution, bird kills and added congestion to road and rail networks.
The proposal presents a grave social injustice. While the airport's chief executive, Stewart Wingate stands to gain a £5 million bonus if the deal goes through, once again the environment and people must suffer the consequences. Half the UK population don't fly at all. 15% of people take 70% of flights and 90% of domestic flights are taken by just 2% of people in the UK, according to government data.
Calls to action
Write to your MP and object to the expansion of Gatwick
Join the Wealden Green Party
Join CAGNE - Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions
Join GACC - Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign
