Surrey Chambers of Commerce delighted Airports Commission short-listed a new Gatwick runway
Gatwick Airport is a member of the Surrey Chambers of Commerce. It is therefore no great surprise to find the Chamber has expressed its pleasure that the Airports Commission has short -listed Gatwick as one of two sites for a new runway. They say businesses in the south east would benefit. They also believe businesses (ignoring affected residents?) would benefit even more by having a new runway at Heathrow too. They have in the past backed Gatwick’s idea of a new runway at both Gatwick and Stansted – though that has been ruled out for the time being, by the Commission. In the view of the Chamber, a new runway would provide” significant economic benefit and sustainable employment in the South East.” And they want it as soon as possible. They want “access to excellent overseas connections, not only for our local businesses but also for the multi-nationals that locate here rather than in other parts of Europe.” The Chamber will hold a panel discussion at Epsom racecourse on 12th March on the Heathrow, Gatwick and Grain runway options. “Whilst there are still decisions to be made we are confident that investment in the South East will bring an excellent rate of return,” says the Chamber.
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Surrey Chambers of Commerce backs Davies Review on Gatwick expansion
December 28, 2013
Surrey Chambers of Commerce backs Davies Review on Gatwick expansion
BUSINESSES in Surrey will benefit from the Airport expansion plans recommended in the Davies Review, according to Surrey Chambers of Commerce.The Airport Commission report, published last week, shortlisted plans for an additional runway at Gatwick along with expansion at Heathrow.
According to the report, whichever plan gets the green light will provide “significant” economic benefit and sustainable employment in the South East.
Ella Parkes, marketing executive at Surrey Chambers, says the group is very supportive of the recommendation for the government to implement a package of transport improvements, and argued a decision needed to be taken soon.
She added: “The most important aspect to all of this is that the Government needs to show leadership and make its decision before the 2015 election. The decision is long overdue and has created uncertainty over the future resulting in business looking at other global centres, whose long-term future is known. This interim report does give a little more stability but we want to see real steps toward increasing aviation capacity.”
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The Surrey Chambers of Commerce press release:
[Gatwick Airport Ltd is a member of the Chamber of Commerce link so the the support of the Chamber is not surprising ]
Surrey Businesses get the best outcome from the Davies Review
We have been waiting in anticipation for the announcements from Howard Davies and the Airports Commission. The interim report has shortlisted Heathrow’s full-length runway located to the north-west of the current airport and an additional runway at Gatwick. The Mayor of London’s Isle of Grain brand new airport has not been shortlisted but further investigation will be undertaken by the Commission so it has not been completely discarded.
Ideally our membership, stretching from Farnham to Caterham and Staines to Horley, would like to see both expansion plans implemented but the report clearly presents them as either/or solutions.
There is absolutely no appetite for the brand new hub airport and we hope that precious resources are not wasted on investigating an impossible solution.
Following on from a number of reports carried out before the interim report there is no doubt that significant economic benefit and sustainable employment in the South East will arise through extra runway capacity at both airports. It is crucial that we maintain the huge advantages enjoyed by businesses in Surrey having access to excellent overseas connections, not only for our local businesses but also for the multi-nationals that locate here rather than in other parts of Europe. The knock-on effect on supply chains of having them in the UK contributes significantly to the UK economy.
We are very supportive of the recommendation that the Government immediately implement a package of surface transport improvements, particularly the provision of rail access into Heathrow from the south, which will improve the use of existing runway capacity.
The most important aspect to all of this is that the Government needs to show leadership and make it’s decision before the 2015 election.
The decision is long over-due and has created uncertainty over the future of Heathrow resulting in business looking at other global centres, whose long-term future is known. This interim report does give a little more stability but we want to see real steps toward increasing aviation capacity and not just talking about it.
Surrey Chambers of Commerce, working with several partners, is hosting a panel discussion at Epsom racecourse on the 12th March where we will have Heathrow, Gatwick and the Mayors office presenting their cases for expansion. Whilst there are still decisions to be made we are confident that investment in the South East will bring an excellent rate of return.
http://www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/news2.php?newsid=595
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Surrey Chambers of Commerce say of themselves:
Surrey is one of the most successful and productive areas for business in the UK. It’s a county that embraces innovation and is a fantastic location to run a business. Surrey Chambers of Commerce, with a membership representing every sector of the workforce, works hard to ensure that the continued growth of the area takes into account the needs of business, as well as providing a range of high quality services to help you grow your business and meet new potential customers.
Whether you are already in the area, or want to find out about how to access one of the UKs most successful markets, there is no better choice than your local Chamber of Commerce – bringing the power of a world-wide brand to support you locally. We hope you will find this website of use.
http://www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/
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In May 2013 the Gatwick Diamond Economic Growth Forum hosted a conference on Gatwick expansion:
The Key Topic – Aviation Capacity Growth
At the time of the Howard Davies Commission on UK aviation capacity growth, the key topic for the first event was the economic opportunity and threat which may be realised through aviation growth at Gatwick as well as the economic ‘up and downsides’ of potential airport expansion elsewhere in the South East.
Meshing with the Howard Davies Commission timetable, the event allowed discussion of the potential expansion of Gatwick Airport and its economic effect prior to Sir Howard Davies making recommendations for a short list of proposals to be carried forward to the final decision post election in 2015.
The event was backed by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, the local authorities in the area, the Coast to Capital LEP, Crawley & Gatwick Chamber of Commerce, Gatwick Diamond Business Association, Manor Royal Business District, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Sussex Enterprise, and Young Enterprise.
The event was at a crucial moment in the region’s economic future – a time of great opportunity and threat. The Gatwick Diamond Economic Growth Forum allowed all to work together to build the best future for the region.
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Keynote speaker
We heard from Stewart Wingate, the CEO of London Gatwick Airport since 2009 about his hopes for deregulation of the airport, his plans to increase capacity from 34 million passengers per annum to 38 million by 2020, and his long term proposals following the 2019 safeguarding agreement, a three-airport two-runway proposal (two runways at Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick)
Panel Discussion on Aviation Growth
A panel discussion with questions from the audience followed chaired by Greg Burgess, a Partner at sponsor ASB Law, the Gatwick Diamond solicitors specialising in legal services for aviation and travel as well as charities, education brain injury and vulnerable people.
Panellists included Daryl Gayler, Managing Director – South Region at RBS; Peter Martin, Deputy Leader at Surrey County Council and Jeremy Taylor, CEO of the Gatwick Diamond Business Association.
The Business Voice
Business leaders from the Gatwick Diamond from three of our most important sectors, the Professional and Business Services Sector, The Life sciences and Medical Devices Sector and the Advanced Manufacturing Sector, talked about why their significant foreign owned businesses choose to be here, why they want to stay, and what might make them move on.
The Public Sector Voice
We heard from political leaders about their approach to the planning, design and management of their areas.
Skills and Employability
A plenary session chaired by Paul Gresham, Senior Partner for sponsor, KPMG SE and featuring Chris Baker, Head of Economic and Social Engagement at the University of Brighton discussed whether we have the skills and labour force to fulfil employers needs now and in the future.
Surface Access Transport
What are the implications of airport expansion for surface transport? What needs to happen to our surface transport links to ensure business & quality of life are not constrained in the future? Rosemary French, Executive Director of sponsor, the Gatwick Diamond Initiative chaired a panel including Julia Gregory, Head of Surface Access at London Gatwick Airport.
The event provided fabulous networking opportunities, as well as crucial debate.
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Earlier:
BUSINESS COMMUNITY URGED TO SUPPORT GATWICK AIRPORT EXPANSION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
3 June 2013 (Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership – press release)
29 May 2013: Business leaders from across the Gatwick Diamond have been urged to find their voice and speak out in support of capacity expansion at Gatwick Airport, as they will benefit from the resulting economic growth.
Almost 200 people from the public and private sectors gathered to listen and discuss issues around aviation growth at the Gatwick Diamond Economic Growth Forum on 23 May at the Arora International Hotel, Crawley. The event was sponsored by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, ASBlaw, and supported by many business organisations including Gatwick Diamond Business, the Surrey and Sussex Chambers of Commerce, and the Coast to Capital LEP.
As well as the impact of aviation growth on the local economy, panel discussions were held recognising that investment in infrastructure, housing and transport will all be critical. Following the opening of the Forum by Henry Smith MP and Paul Gresham, the Chair of the Gatwick Diamond, Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport was interviewed by Greg Burgess of ASB Law about his short and long term plans for the airport. Then, local business leaders from Elekta, Canon UK, RBS, Nestle, ILG, and Metrobus voiced their views.
Henry Smith MP said: “The Gatwick Diamond is a region important for driving economic performance for the UK as well as the local economy.” He said “everyone has an important role to play to ensure its future success”.
Stewart Wingate summarised Gatwick Airport’s contribution to the local economy (including its employment of more than 25,000 people) and underlined the benefits of its billion pound investment plans. He also spoke of the airport’s commitment to doing business with local companies to support the area’s general economic vibrancy and his desire to deregulate the airport to enable better competition. He said that the Gatwick submission to the Airports Commission in July would include a second runway, although no decisions would be made by government until 2015.
All speakers agreed that an independent and impartial consideration of the economic benefits of aviation growth must be formalised in order to provide an informed and robust response to the Davies Commission. There were also calls for further investment into the area’s surface access transport connections – a key factor in companies relocating and remaining in the area.
Rosemary French, Executive Director of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative said: “The Gatwick Diamond is a £19 billion economy of national importance, and is widely recognised as a key area of future investment and growth. We are now at a crossroads which will determine the local economy of the future. On the question of aviation capacity, it is vital that the views of the business community are voiced loud and clear and taken into account. This Forum has helped focus minds on the issues, opportunities and threats to economic growth in our region.”
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