**Gatwick Second Runway Plan Approved by Transport Secretary**
*By Katy Austin, Transport Correspondent and Jamie Whitehead, BBC News*
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved plans for a second runway at London Gatwick Airport, marking a significant step as the government seeks new opportunities for economic growth.
The £2.2 billion privately-financed project essentially involves moving the current Northern Runway 12 metres to bring it into regular use, alongside other developments including terminal expansions. The airport says the plans will create jobs and boost the local economy.
Gatwick currently handles around 280,000 flights annually. The new plan would increase this number to approximately 389,000 flights by the late 2030s. A government source described the plan as a “no-brainer for growth,” adding that it is possible planes could be utilising a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election.
Located in West Sussex, London Gatwick is currently Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, serving over 40 million passengers a year. The approved plans would add 40,000 more flights before the second runway opens, rising to 70,000 additional flights—nearly 190 per day—once the runway is fully operational. This expansion could see passenger numbers rise to as many as 80 million.
Currently, the Northern Runway is used only for taxiing or as a backup. The new second runway will primarily serve short-haul flights, while freeing up capacity on the main runway for more long-haul services.
The decision to approve the expansion was anticipated in February, when the transport secretary expressed that she was “minded to grant consent” for the Northern Runway planning application. Planning inspectors had raised concerns about the potential impact of the proposals on the surrounding area, including traffic congestion and noise pollution.
In response, in April Gatwick Airport agreed to implement stricter noise controls, an enhanced insulation scheme for nearby residents, and a target of having 54% of air passengers use public transport before the Northern Runway opens. To achieve this, the airport acknowledged that third parties, including the Department for Transport, would need to support the delivery of necessary infrastructure improvements—such as reinstating the full Gatwick Express rail service.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Gatwick Express offered four non-stop trains per hour between the airport and London Victoria. This was reduced to two trains per hour in 2022.
To address road congestion concerns, Gatwick Airport has also proposed a cap on cars on the road if the 54% public transport target is not met prior to the runway’s first use. If neither the target nor the road traffic limit can be achieved, the runway plans would be delayed until £350 million in road improvements are completed. The airport stated this would ensure additional traffic flows can be accommodated without causing congestion.
A government source said, “This government has taken unprecedented steps to get this done, navigating a needlessly complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in future.” They added, “Any airport expansion must be delivered in line with our legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements.”
However, there is strong opposition to the expansion, particularly from climate campaigners. Following the approval announcement, new Green Party leader Zack Polanski called it a “disaster for the climate crisis.”
In February, Greenpeace UK policy director Douglas Parr argued the extension would not drive economic growth. “The only thing it’s set to boost is air pollution, noise, and climate emissions,” he said.
Alex Chapman, senior economist at the left-leaning think tank New Economics Foundation, also contended the expansion would not create new jobs but rather shift them from other parts of the country. “People are already perfectly able to catch cheap flights on holiday or travel for business,” he added.
Unite the Union general secretary Sharon Graham voiced support for Gatwick having a second runway but cautioned it must come with “guarantees of well-paid, unionised jobs and proper facilities for workers.”
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*This article will be updated as further developments occur.*
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9v7rz24z23o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss