See Airports Commission https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/increasing-the-uks-long-term-aviation-capacity
In a week when the Heathrow Hub Exhibitions heard of a planned 50% increase in flights, a poll of Royal Borough residents reveals support for Gatwick expansion over plans for Heathrow....A poll that the Royal Borough has carried out with its residents shows support for the building of a new runway at Gatwick Airport.
The poll was conducted by Ipsos MORI prior to the council responding to the Airports Commission regarding its long term capacity consultation by reaffirming its position that it is against expansion at Heathrow Airport. There are three proposals that the Airports Commission is currently looking at:
- a proposal from Gatwick Airport Ltd for an additional runway to the south of the existing runway at Gatwick Airport
- a proposal from Heathrow Airport Ltd for an additional runway to the north west of the existing northern runway at Heathrow Airport
- a proposal from Heathrow Hub Ltd for an extension to the existing northern runway at Heathrow Airport to operate as two separate runways
The poll also showed that 31 percent of residents oppose (strongly oppose or tend to oppose) both options for Heathrow expansion this compares to 22 percent in favour (strongly support or tend to support) putting support at negative 8 percent.
Almost six in ten (58 percent) of residents believe that the number of flights at Heathrow Airport should remain the same as they currently are.
The poll shows that 50 percent of residents support (strongly support or tend to support) the building of a new runway at Gatwick Airport with only 14 percent against (strongly oppose or tend to oppose) building a new runway at Gatwick Airport, putting net support of the proposal at 35 percent.
A quota sample of 1,014 residents, aged 18 and over, were surveyed in the poll which took place by telephone between 8 and 11 January 2015. Survey data were weighted back to the true population proportions. The poll asked residents across the whole of the Royal Borough not just those currently affected by Heathrow Airport.
Cllr George Bathurst, chairman of the aviation forum and cabinet member for policy and performance, said: “This poll shows that Royal Borough residents support our views and we will continue to support expansion at Gatwick Airport.
“We are urging the Government and Airports Commission to take into account the unacceptable noise that our residents already suffer, particularly at night, and if Heathrow Airport was allowed to expand this would get dramatically worse.
“There is also the massive threat to our green belt as there is a need for further development and approximately 70,000 homes being built in the surrounding area. Both Heathrow expansion options would cause substantial harm to our community.
“There would also be substantial harm to our world famous heritage including Windsor Castle and Eton College, ironically destroying one of the reasons that many people visit the UK.
“We are backing Gatwick Airport expansion for the stronger economic growth it would create. It is more practical, more politically deliverable and will give our residents and the UK more choice and competition. We want to see Heathrow Airport as a better not a bigger airport.
“As a local authority we will be responding to the Airports Commission’s consultation and we encourage residents to respond on an individual basis before 3 February.”
The Airports Commission https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/increasing-the-uks-long-term-aviation-capacity
requests that all submissions be received by Tuesday 3 February 2015, but will not be putting forward their recommendation before central Government until at least summer 2015.
The borough continues to encourage residents to complain every time that they are disturbed by noise via Heathrow’s online reporting facility http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise, by email at noise_complaints@heathrow.com or by telephone on 0800 344 844.
Residents can also share their experience of aviation noise via our website, as this is valuable evidence in the planning process.