[VIDEO] Transport secretary signs consents for Gatwick expansion development

The £2.2bn Gatwick expansion plans will relocate the northern runway 12 metres north to allow dual runways operations

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has signed off the development consents order for the proposed expansion of Gatwick Airport, bringing the plans of a second runway one step closer to reality.

The privately financed project is ‘shovel-ready’, according to Gatwick. The expansion plans would add 40,000 more flights before the second runway opens and 70,000 more by completion- nearly 190 additional flights a day.

Noise mitigation was a key concern surrounding the Gatwick expansion plans

The consents followed a prolonged period of uncertainty, with the transport secretary issuing a letter in February of this year saying she was ‘minded to approve’ the plans, but there were lingering concerns over noise mitigation.

In April Gatwick agreed to stricter noise controls, supporting an insulation scheme for local residents and having over half of air passengers using public transport- although the airport called for third parties such as the Department of Transport to “support delivery of the necessary conditions and improvements required to meet this target,” suggesting the reinstating of the Gatwick Express rail service, which has run a reduced service since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Per the new conditions, local residents can ask the airport for compensation for the cost of installing triple-glazing windows. For residents most affected by the noise, Gatwick will pay stamp duty and some moving costs for homeowners that choose to move.

A five-year scheme to increase customers and reduce congestion

Gatwick’s expansion plans will increase flight capacity from 280,000 to 389,000 by the late 2030s, with extensions to both terminals and a new pier to park aircraft.

Currently the Northern runway is only used as a back-up or space for taxiing aircraft, but moving it twelve metres north would allow dual runway operations in line with international safety standards. The newly positioned runway would support more short-haul flights.

As well as adding new passenger facilities, car parking, offices and hotels, the expansion plans have accounted for increased demand on local traffic.

More flyovers will be constructed and an existing pier extended to help reduce congestion and separate airport and local traffic.

Climate campaigners have criticised the development, with Greenpeace UK policy director Douglas Parr saying in February that the extension would not drive economic growth, instead stating: “the only thing it’s set to boost is air pollution, noise, and climate emissions.”

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