THE CAMPAIGN GOES ON
The deadline for submissions to the Airport Commission Consultation has passed, but the lobbying goes on. Update by Ian Trevett
T
he time has passed to make a submission to the Airport Commission Consultation, and it is now down to Sir Howard Davies and his team to decide whether the next runway will go to Heathrow or Gatwick. So... just a case of waiting? The answer is emphatically no! Sir Howard doesn’t work in a vacuum, and the opportunities to have influence continue. One thing is for sure: the protestors against a runway being built in their locality, whether it is Heathrow or Gatwick, will be lobbying, demonstrating and shouting loudly until the end. On 3rd March campaigners will be out in force at the House of Parliament to protest against the third runway at Heathrow. The campaign group HACAN vow that, “In what promises to be the biggest rally of the year, cabinet ministers and party leaders will link up with top environmentalists, key trade union leaders and business people to speak out against a third runway at Heathrow.” Speakers include politicians from all five major English parties, including the Greens and UKIP. At Platinum Business Magazine, we support a second runway at Gatwick, as we believe the benefits for the local economy and for local businesses are considerable. A voice for airport expansion is rare as the groups arguing against this issue dominate at both airports. It’s not that people, and businesspeople, aren’t in favour; it’s just that they don’t shout as loudly. The team at Gatwick Airport, including Hannah Staunton and Melanie Wrightson, have done an admirable job in campaigning for runway two, but it has to be quite dispiriting
at times as the local anti-runway groups are so vocal and determined. We attended the public consultation event in Crawley, and the room was dominated by village conservation societies and environmental groups, who were hostile to Gatwick’s proposals. Of course, when the equivalent event took place near Heathrow, the voices were just as vociferous against their plans.
“No ifs, no buts, no third runway at Heathrow” David Cameron, Conservative election leaflet for the May 2010 election. District, town and county councils have been having their say in recent weeks and, unsurprisingly, the closer to the respective airports, the fewer votes there are in support. I’m sure the way councillors vote is influenced by avoiding the prospect of angry residents banging at their door. So for Gatwick, this meant a vote against from West Sussex and Kent, and a no from Surrey, unless the infrastructure is improved first. These weren’t
unexpected results. What was a surprise was the vote of support from East Sussex. Surely there can have been no such support from the counties bordering Heathrow. Further from the flightpaths there has been enthusiastic support from Croydon. Unfortunately, the Greens in Brighton view all flying objects as the work of the devil and are (allegedly) currently working on plans for a cycle path to China. And what of the MP’s? Where is the support from our elected representatives? With notable exceptions, such as current Hove MP, Mike Weatherley and the new Conservative candidate, Graham Cox, few have spoken out in favour. One political insider told me this was because the word in Westminster was that Heathrow was the favourite, and no-one wanted to back the losing bid. The outcome of Sir Howard’s enquiry has not been settled, but by backing the supposed winner, they will simply help fulfill the prophecy. The only solution is for supporters of Gatwick to put pressure on their MP’s. Ask them: ‘Will Gatwick be good for the Sussex and Surrey economy? If so, why aren’t you supporting the bid?’ Business support is vital, so hats off to the 19 entrepreneurs who wrote an open letter to the commission in support of the bid. In their own words: “As any entrepreneur would agree, promoting choice for consumers is paramount, and only Gatwick can deliver that, along with a positive effect on fares, service levels and innovation.” It is Gatwick, obviously!
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