AIRPORT campaigners have slammed plans to use Gatwick’s emergency runway for regular flights.

The proposition was released yesterday as an option to increase the airport’s capacity by more than a third by 2030.

The back-up runway plan is an alternative to construction of a complete second runway, an option which took a blow earlier in the year after Heathrow’s runway application was approved over Gatwick’s.

A community group has described the move as “totally underhand” and raised safety concerns following incidents which have occurred during the stand-by runway’s use.

Sally Pavey, of the Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emission (CAGNE), said: “This is totally underhand, a stab in the heart for residents who thought they could get on with their lives after the runway debate was won by Heathrow Airport.

“This is despicable behaviour by Gatwick management and clearly shows their contempt for us communities of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

“They obviously can’t be trusted as they have illustrated today that they do not care about the rural communities that surround them.”

In a press release, her organisation also argued that regular use of the emergency runway could pose a safety risk.

A spokeswoman from the group said: “We’ve seen safety incidents reported when this runway has been made use of this year.

“Even last week, Norwegian Airlines admitted an irregular incident taking place with a flight.

“An emergency runway ought to be just that – there for emergencies.

“It was never designed to be used for anything other than to deal with air incidents when things go wrong.

“The Civil Aviation Authority has always been concerned about safety of using this emergency runway in conjunction with the main runway.”

Asked about the incident in question, a spokesman for Norwegian Airlines said: ““We have fully investigated and provided safety recommendations to the authorities following an incident at London Gatwick of an irregular runway procedure during take-off, which

has also been performed by other carriers.”

Ms Pavey also highlighted the damage to the environment extra flights would cause.

She said: “This is not just about safety of passengers and residents but also the intolerable increase in noise that will be created for residents of Sussex, Surrey and Kent at times when they want to enjoy the rural beauty of their homes and countryside.

“Using the emergency runway in conjunction with the main runway could mean a 20 to 30 per cent increase in flights over the very communities that currently have no respite from aircraft noise especially in the West.

“This announcement of a second runway by the backdoor is shameful and will only further blight the lives of people who live in this area.”

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “We have had safety experts review these plans and they have all said they are completely safe.

“We also believe that they will not add to noise pollution for people living near to the airport, but in fact would help reduce noise from planes at night.”