At the hearing last month into the expansion of Gatwick Airport, the Surrey Climate Commission CIC explained why it thinks the plans for transporting travellers to the enlarged airport are inadequate. The commission has already pointed out that the government’s own advisers, the UK Climate Change Committee, has recommended no net airport expansion and asked why the advice is being ignored.
Expanding Gatwick will increase greenhouse gas emissions
Spokesperson for the Surrey Climate Commission, Chris Hyde, says “We know too much carbon dioxide and other pollutants are being released into our atmosphere, and that the use of fossil fuels is the prime contributor. The project to expand Gatwick, to increase the number of flights, the operations needed to keep the airport running, and cars accessing the airport, will significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions and, in our view, should not go ahead”.
Local transport will be disrupted
Not only will the proposal have a negative impact on the ability of the UK government to deliver its net zero strategy, says the commission, the traffic generated by those travelling to the enlarged airport will increase local journey times. This will impose inconvenience and disruption to people in the local area. The commission points out the limited investment in public transport will increase pressure on the London to Brighton train service and lead to more overcrowded trains.
100 community groups make up the Surrey Climate Commission
The Surrey Climate Commission is a not-for-profit which brings together community groups, the public sector, academic institutions and businesses from across Surrey to work collaboratively to reach a carbon neutral future as soon as possible. The commission’s members comprise over 100 community groups across Surrey. It is part of a network of climate commissions across the UK.
Editor’s note:
A group of ten councils claim current plans to open a second runway at Gatwick do not address air and noise pollution concerns. Airport bosses submitted plans in 2023 to bring its emergency north runway into full-time use, which would see an extra 100,000 planes land and take off each year.
For more information contact on the Surrey Climate Commission via their website.
