Where do you think the extra runway should be built – Heathrow or Gatwick?
Since the 1970s various UK governments have been debating how to expand the UKs potential to increase air traffic in London and the South East of England.
In those days there were plans to build a completely new airport at Maplin Sands but this was abandoned after the 1973 oil crisis. Since then there have been various plans with Boris Johnson suggesting another new airport with four runways in the Thames estuary, but this has been rejected.
The two favourite proposals are an extra runway at Gatwick or one at Heathrow. There has been an extensive public consultation and debates rage over which airport is the most suitable. Heathrow proponents point to its size and global connections make it the favourite but the cost could be £18 billion and over 800 houses would need to be demolished plus there are concerns over traffic and air pollution.
Supporters of Gatwick say it would only cost c£7 billion and there would be much less disruption with only about 300 houses being demolished to make way for the new runway. In addition air pollution and traffic would be a lot less than at Heathrow. Opponents point out that Gatwick is further from London and is really a “holiday” airport with most of the flights being for leisure passengers rather than business or transit passengers.
After years of waiting and debate Theresa May was finally expected to give a decision this week. Instead she is dithering again and says a final consultation has to be done and put before MPs in 2017/18 delaying the outcome yet again.
What are your views? Would you choose Heathrow or Gatwick to have the additional runway? Do you think the government is right to debate the project further or should they just make a decision now and get on with it?
What are your views?
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Southend is expanding well but again restricted like Heathrow as in middle of residential areas.
Stanstead is another one which can be expanded easily as country area surrounding it.
Gov decide not on these points and the reasoning is not there but Gov just decide as what we say goes situ!
Just like the second Dartford Bridge crossing. gov decide it will be at Tilbury but ppl hv to go same route for tht new crossing as same as going to Dartford crossing. I see the congestion morning and night, it is bad.
The best route which actually the ppl want is crossing at A130 over to canvey island which cross (and a shorter distance to build) fields direct to M2. So either way into Kent or London. The A130 Connects from M25/A12/A13/A127. !!
Heathrow has not. so it makes sense for Gatwick.
Our road and rail links need to be improved and a much more sophisticated and long term integrated plan needs to be agreed at Government level amongst all parties to ensure continuity and that it is achieved.
It has been done elsewhere and we need as a trading Nation need to improve. Additional runways are but the start.
I am sorry you lost your husband, but there is little evidence to support the view that airport workers are in any way at greater risk than a member of the general population.
As far as that runway is concerned I view it as a mistake. We should be looking at ditching HS2 and investing in a new airport commonly known as Boris Island, with the added infra structure reuired. Cheaper than HS2 I would think!
I must be getting old!
We need to expand both of these airports and rapidly to keep us as Europe's key transport hub ... especially with the joys of Brexit just round the corner we should get on with it now.
I know that many people will be forced to move but they will be getting 25% above market value for their houses so it's not all bad!
Another runway means increased numbers of flight. Obviously that means yet more passenger and freight. Communications inside the M25 were creaking at the seams years ago. Any additional load will make travelling worse for London dwellers. Perish the thought!
It has been said below, in either scenario there will be mass compulsory purchases of domestic property. And for what? To appease largely business interests.
A few years ago a major upgrade on the M11 running past Stanstead was completed. Massive disruption caused by the construction work. Many of us thought the next runway was set for Stanstead but it's not, so that hideously expensive upgrade is under used.
Heathrow is bounded on the north by the A4/M4 and on the south by the A30, another of our hideously inadequate roads. Therefore any expansion passenger and freight traffic will further clog these over worked arteries. At Heathrow there really isn't a realistic possibility of enhancing air traffic.
Boris Island appears to be the ideal solution, with new communications to London. A complete re-think is needed, not a sewing patches on seventy year old schemes.