Gatwick plan wins approval

Three-quarters of residents (74%) in Sussex, Surrey and Kent who were surveyed support plans by Gatwick to increase capacity by making better use of its existing runways, with only 14% against, according to a YouGov poll published last week.

A similarly high proportion (67%), with 16% against, also supported plans to continue safeguarding land south of the airport in the national interest in case it is needed for a new runway to meet future long-term demand.

Of those who supported the plans, 38% said they did so because of the potential increase in the airport's contribution to the local economy in jobs, trade and investment.

A further 32% said they recognised the potential increase in travel connections and 27% said they were in favour because the airport already owned the land required to increase capacity.

The polling was commissioned by Gatwick to gather the views of local residents, following publication of its draft master plan two months ago (BTN 15 October).

The plan considers how Gatwick could grow across three scenarios – using new technology to increase main runway capacity, bringing Gatwick’s existing standby runway into routine use or building an additional runway to the south of the airport. Consultation on the plan runs until 10 January.

www.gatwickairport.com/masterplan2018

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