West Sussex County Council votes to oppose a 2nd Gatwick runway (Kent CC has already done so too)

A second County Council has withdrawn its support for a 2nd Gatwick runway, because of the high level of local opposition – and the unconvincing case made by the airport.  West Sussex County Council (WSCC) voted by 37 to 26 to reverse its (somewhat unorthodox) decision in July 2013 to support another Gatwick runway.  It held today’s special meeting to debate the Gatwick issue, because the Council needed to write its response to the Airports Commission consultation, before it ends on 3rd February.  Kent County Council withdrew its backing for a second runway in November, because of new flight paths. Over almost 5 hours of debate, numerous WSCC councillors put their points, displaying a sincere intention to act in the best interests of the  county’s residents, as they saw them. Many expressed dissatisfaction with the Airports Commission’s documents and analysis, saying it was incomplete and often inaccurate. There was a high level of uncertainty about the inability of the county’s infrastructure to cope with the stresses of a new runway, with transport being of particular concern. Ultimately councillors felt there were likely to be huge costs and problems from a runway, with uncertain benefits. They voted against the runway. Gatwick said it was disappointed by WSCC’s decision.

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WSCC group with youngster 19.1.2015


 

Gatwick expansion: Second council makes runway U-turn

19.1.2015 (BBC)

Gatwick protest

Campaigners against the second runway protested outside the West Sussex County Council meeting

A second county council has withdrawn its support for another runway at Gatwick airport because of the high level of local opposition.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) voted by 37 to 26 to reverse its decision in July 2013 to support expansion of the airport.

Kent County Council withdrew its backing for a second runway in November, because of new flight paths.

Gatwick said it was disappointed by WSCC’s decision.

The Airports Commission is considering three options for airport expansion in the South East – a second runway at Gatwick, a third runway at Heathrow or an extension to one of the existing Heathrow runways.

‘Emotive subject’

WSCC held a special meeting to consider its response to a public consultation that ends next month.

“The issue of a second runway at Gatwick is an extremely emotive subject,” said Councillor Pieter Montyn.

“Councillors believed that Gatwick has not, to date, put forward sufficient evidence to counter the very serious environmental and noise fears of local residents.

“However, irrespective of our position, our role now is to start planning for the future.

“The decision about the runway will be made by government so we have a responsibility and duty to plan for either scenario – second runway at Gatwick or not.”

The council’s official response is contained in 20 pages of improvements it believes should be made before any proposal to expand Gatwick is submitted to the government.

CGI of second Gatwick runway
The proposed second runway at Gatwick is being considered by the Airports Commission
The Airports Commission is expected to make its final recommendation later this year.

Gatwick said it believed expansion would bring a huge boost for the local economy, including thousands of jobs.

“We will continue to work closely with West Sussex County Council to illustrate the benefits that expansion will deliver,” it said.

“Gatwick is doing as much as possible to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on local residents.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30889144

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The Amendment that was voted on, by Mr Griffiths, was:

“The environmental damage is without question, whereas the economic benefit is unproven and may well be negative. Therefore this Council expresses its opposiiton to a new runway to expand Gatwick Airport”

This was an amendment to a longer original motion by Cllr  Bill Acraman.


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See also:

West Sussex County Council Cabinet will not include mention of vote against Gatwick runway in its Airports Commission consultation response

West Sussex County Council voted against supporting a 2nd Gatwick runway – with 37 votes to 26 votes, with 4 abstentions. It also agreed its official response to the Airports Commission’s consultation expressing ‘serious concerns’ about the implications of a Gatwick 2nd runway. At a special Full Council meeting councillors almost unanimously approved the 20-page document which lists the improvements it believes need to be made before any proposal to expand the airport is submitted to Government. Leader of West Sussex County Council, Mrs Louise Goldsmith, and the Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Pieter Montyn, continue to back the runway. Mr Montyn said the council would not be including information on the vote in their submission to the Commission. Mrs Goldsmith was eager to assert that the Commission’s decision on a runway would not be influenced by her council – an opinion which many would disagree with. Mr Montyn said: “The issue of a 2nd runway at Gatwick is an extremely emotive subject and that played out at today’s meeting. [The Commission …] asks us to comment on the methodology and evidence base of [their] assessments, and to put forward improvements that we believe should be made.” Hence its position opposing Gatwick expansion will not form part of its consultation response.

Click here to view full story…

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex CC speaking at Gatwick debate. She favours 2nd runway. Gatwick Diamond member


Video of the Gatwick song

There is a short video clip, with part of the Gatwick Runway song, at  http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/video-county-council-votes-to-oppose-second-runway-at-gatwick-airport-1-6530034

Some of the words of the song (to the tune of “What shalll we do with the Drunken Sailor?”)
Gatwick song chorus: “No Way, 2nd runway; No Way, 2nd runway; No Way, 2nd runway, Never, Never, Never.” 

Verses:

“What shall we do with Gatwick Airport?”  Response  “Tell them that the runway is a non-starter.”

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“What shall we do with the noisy flight paths?” Response “Keep on protesting till they stop them.”

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“What shall we do with Stewart Wingate?” Response: “Put him on a plane with a one way ticket .. all the way to China”

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“What shall we do with Sir Howard Davies?” Response: “Pop him upstairs with a brand new title… if he says no runway”

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“What shall we do with the County Council?” Response “”Tell ’em to repent, and we’ll forgive them”

And then ends on “Not in bed with Gatwick”.  [But they did repent!]

A Gatwick runway would affect people living on this area for decades to come. ie. Our children – at protest today

Sally Pavey being interviewed outside West Sussex County Council meeting on Gatwick runway today

Waiting for the West Sussex County Council debate and vote on Gatwick’s 2nd runway today. Active and vocal opposition


 

Below are some tweets during the debate, reflecting a few of the many points made:

Water will be a considerable challenge for Sussex etc if a 2nd runway was built. The area is already an area subject to serious water stress

Real issue that a new runway will mean huge extra costs for local authorities. But they are struggling with huge budget cuts now & for years

Cllr: “I want future generations of young people in West Sussex to be able to enjoy the same quality of life that I enjoyed as a child here”


Fears for young people in future that 2nd Gatwick runway would mean ever higher house prices in the area. Ever harder for them to buy a home


North south divide can only be exacerbated by a new SE runway. Data suggest every new SE job created means a job in the north is lost


 Gatwick runway would mean loss of business & commercial space. There is already a shortage. Where will these alleged new businesses locate?


A few W Sussex cllrs seem to fear Gatwick might become some sort of half dead backwater without a 2nd runway. That is simply not happening!

Compared to. the extent of CO2 emissions & environmental damage done by a 2nd runway many other forms of growth & development would be more effective

Cllrs reminded there are many other developments & businesses that could come to WSussex & provide the good jobs & careers young people need


Cllr at W Sussex says with the extent of errors, omissions & estimates of doubtful validity in the Gatwick case, the council cannot accept

Cllrs need to look carefully in detail at the real impacts locally of a runway & not be unduly swayed by Gatwick Diamond & runway publicity

Cllr Brenda Smith, cllr for Crawley, does not want her constituents just offered low pay low skill airport jobs. Or any other second best

One particularly perceptive and imaginative ( ho hum) councillor says she cannot imagine any residents opposing a new Gatwick runway…

Comment made that in George Orwell’s 1984 the name for the UK was “Airstrip One”. Supreme irony with the runway building nightmare now.

Many councillors at the W Sussex meeting have spoken well and articulately against Gatwick runway. Almost no effective comments in favour.

W Sussex cllr says with the infrastructure problems for the area & environmental problems it would be “barmy” for the Council to back it

W Sussex cllr. saying he backed a 2nd Gatwick runway in 2013. Now sees the economics, jobs etc now look very uncertain. Now against runway

Cllr Bill Acraman says Gatwick aim is to sell airport for higher price, with consent for runway. GAL dubious economics doubted by Commission

W Sussex now debating an amendment that it would “express opposition to a new runway to expand Gatwick Airport” by Cllr Griffiths

W Sussex CC have voted unanimously in favour of the Motion by Mrs Arculus that the Council response to Commission will ask for improvements

One councillor? Cllr Rae said whatever the temptations on economics he wanted to be rememered for having done the right thing on environment

Cllr Montyn at W Sussex says Airports Commission analysis has so many scenarios that they give no real usable, forecasts. Need improvements

W Sussex councillors taking seriously their responsibilities to current & future county residents. Great concern on land take, roads etc etc

Hearing how many W Sussex councillors have serious concerns about strains on infrastructure, it would be remarkable if council backed runway

W Sussex amendment for Council to neither support nor oppose Gatwick expansion. + another that asks for improvements in Commission analysis

GAL is offering to meet, discuss etc need for more infrastructure. But absolutely NO offers to actually pay for the massive costs involved

GAL realise its failure to deal with need for extensive new infrastructure if there was a 2nd runway. Say there is need for “further work”

West Sussex debate focusing on harm done to the area from a runway & mainly the shortage of all sorts of infrastructure that already exists

West Sussex councillor points out that if GIP sell Gatwick no GAL promises made now will have any validity or be enforceable from new owner