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Public Debate on Expansion of
Gatwick Airport
The Horsham Society hosted a public
debate on the effects on Horsham and the surrounding
area of an expansion of Gatwick Airport at the
Causeway Barn on Friday 9th September 2005.
A packed audience of some 80 people attended,
consisting of elected representatives headed by Member
of Parliament, Francis Maude, and including
Councillors from County Hall, Horsham and Mid-Downs
District, Crawley Borough and Parishes and Town
Neighbourhoods together with Council Officers, Members
of the Society and the general public.
An expert panel was introduced by Society Chairman,
Peter Tobutt. Paul Griffiths, newly-appointed MD of
BAA Gatwick and Mark Froud, CEO of Sussex Enterprise, put forward the
economic case for expanding the airport. They were
countered by Roy Haycock of CPRE and Peter Barclay,
Vice Chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation
Campaign, who argued strenuously for environment
considerations to be put first.
L-R: Peter Barclay, Roy Haycock,
Peter Tobutt, Mark Froud, Paul Griffiths
BAA’s initial aim is to make Gatwick (serving as it
does some 100 airlines!) the most efficient single
runway airport in the world by maximising the
facilities within its existing “footprint” within the
constraints of an increasingly ecological agenda. But
London’s airport capacity is being squeezed harder and
harder. Post 9/11 recovery and the continuing business
and leisure travel demands in this country are placing
great strains on our existing major airports. Heathrow
has serious road access limitations and the costs of
expanding Stansted are huge. So how long after the
present single runway agreement expires in 2019 will
it be necessary to widen the existing boundaries?
CPRE welcomes BAA’s more environmentally friendly
approach to expansion but was concerned for the
post-2019 scene. The rights of the existing population
within the Gatwick area and its approach corridors to
enjoy an environmentally healthy society must not be
eroded by the uncontrolled increases in noise and
pollution which are likely from a major airport
expansion. How many of the people who travel through
Gatwick come from outside the South East? What is the
proportion of business and leisure travel?
Sussex Enterprise explained that business in general
favours Gatwick over other airport options. This
commercially driven preference promises to deliver
another 7000 on-site jobs together with 14000 in the
surrounding area if airport expansion takes place. The
risks attached to a no development policy are very
real. A loss of investment in local rail and road
infrastructure, fewer high quality jobs and a gradual
drift away from Gatwick by many of the international
airlines.
The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign seeks better
compensation for people affected by the existing
airport operations before any consideration is given
to expansion beyond the present boundaries. Indeed, it
is important to challenge unsubstantiated claims for
the need for such expansion and to look again at
projected future travel figures.
It was encouraging to note general agreement on a
number of points. Airport growth must not be allowed
to take place at the uncontrolled expense of the
environment. The growth of Gatwick Airport within its
existing footprint is necessary for the health of the
South East economy and ultimately benefits us all.
Better public transport will reduce the airport road
access dependency and its associated high levels of
pollution. Everyone agreed that it was absolutely
vital to keep the Gatwick Express running (and not to
replace it by existing stopping trains as proposed by
the erstwhile Strategic Rail Authority.
A lively question and answer session followed with
wide-ranging concerns expressed
- Businesses can’t stand still:
they must either expand or contract
- A net export of tourism from the UK can actually
damage our economy by reduced inward spending power
- Are fuel taxes fairly distributed and, indeed, what
provision is being made by the air industry for a
future without fossil fuels?
- Even if we do get the extra jobs
as forecast, will we have the skilled workforce
locally to fill them?
The Horsham Society had certainly picked a hot potato
when it organised this event. The discussions,
however, were good natured and a number of serious
issues were highlighted. Ultimately the decision to
expand Gatwick will be taken by the Government,
hopefully listening to its now better informed local
representatives.
Peter Tobutt |
