- Overwhelming support for Gatwick expansion from London councillors
- London residents continue to choose Gatwick over Heathrow
- Concerns over noise and air quality the key issues
LONDON, 2016-Apr-14 — /Travel PR News/ — With less than a month until Londoners go to the polls, 62% of the capital’s councillors have come out in support of Gatwick expansion – compared to 38% for Heathrow – according to a new YouGov survey published today.
The negative impact on the quality of life for local residents – noise and air pollution – was singled out as the most important issue in the expansion debate – and is an issue likely to be reflected in the London election on 5 May.
In a separate YouGov poll, 44% of London residents said they wanted Gatwick expanded, with 35% choosing Heathrow.
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick CEO said:
“After decades of delay, Londoners recognise that Gatwick expansion can actually happen and that it is time to finally close the book on Heathrow’s plans. The UK cannot afford years of more delay so let’s get on and build a new runway for Britain at the only airport that can deliver it.”
“Air quality is a crucial issue for London so it is no surprise to see continued strong support for Gatwick expansion and real concern around Heathrow’s impact.”
Councillors were also asked for their views in seven areas central to the debate, with Gatwick scoring significant double point leads in six:
Negative impacts on local residents: Gatwick 58%/ Heathrow 14% (44 point lead)
Built at lowest cost to taxpayer: Gatwick 47%/ Heathrow 20% (27 point lead)
Competition between airports & airlines: Gatwick 49%/ Heathrow 22% (27 point lead)
How quickly runway can be delivered: Gatwick 47%/ Heathrow 23% (24 point lead)
Regeneration of local area: Gatwick 43%/ Heathrow 25% (18 point lead)
Certainty of delivery: Gatwick 42%/ Heathrow 25% (17 point lead)
Londoner councillors thought that Heathrow was best for the economic benefit to UK with 46% choosing Heathrow and 28% Gatwick.
NOTES
Total sample size was 239 London Councillors. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th and 27th March 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all London Councillors by political party, council control, region within London and gender.
Total sample size for London public was 1,021 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th – 5th April 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all London adults (aged 18+).
For more information contact:
Gatwick Airport press office
t: + 44 (0) 1293 505000
e: gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com
About Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest airport and the most efficient single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 200 destinations in 90 countries for more than 40 million passengers a year on short and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South East region, generating around 21,000 on-airport jobs and a further 10,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is south of Central London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express, and is part of the Oyster contactless payment network. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.
The Government has indicated it will make a decision this year on whether Gatwick airport should be expanded. Gatwick’s second runway will deliver the UK the same number of passengers, the same number of long haul routes, better UK and regional connections, and the economic boost the UK needs, all at a dramatically lower environmental impact, at less than half the cost of Heathrow, and with no public subsidy.
For further information on Gatwick Airport see www.gatwickairport.com or follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/Gatwick_Airport