4:39pm Monday 26th October 2009
By Jeremy Taylor
The recent sale of Gatwick is to be welcomed. At last we will have an owner of the Airport that should be committed to helping the airport grow. As a direct consequence, the sub-region’s economy will grow, bringing jobs and prosperity and helping us ride the storm of recession far better than other parts of the UK.
And this is something we must bear in mind, for there are vast parts of the country, particularly to the North, that are struggling with mass unemployment. What would those areas give to have a business on their doorstep that provides, in its current configuration, over 40,000 direct jobs and creates wealth and opportunity for thousands more? There has been much media speculation that the new owners have already ‘done a deal’ to bring in a Second Runway. However, no second runway can be built before 2019, but we must have a rational and reasoned debate on the economic, environmental and societal impacts of building and of not building the second runway.
Some figures may help inform, or provoke, that debate. Recently published DfT Noise Exposure Contours show that the number of people affected by noise from aircraft is decreasing (to 4,400) as a result of the increased use of quieter aeroplane types. Set this number against those 40,000 jobs, and the spending power of the 40,000,000 passengers that the Airport could handle in the current format.
Unfortunately, the second runway would increase the number of those affected by noise, but it will also bring many more jobs in direct employment as well as put Gatwick back on the map as a major international business destination. It will also improve the South East's viability as a place to do business and bring jobs to the whole of the region - something other parts of the country will envy.
Many local politicians say they are ready to fight the new owners on the issue of a second runway, should it arise. Those politicians need to listen to the entire electorate to make sure that they represent the wider view.
Remember those 40,000 employees are all voters too.
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