London councillors support Gatwick expansion over Heathrow: survey
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Sixty-three per cent of London councillors support Gatwick expansion – compared to 44% for Heathrow – with half (50%) saying the certainty a runway scheme can be delivered has become more important since Brexit – according to a YouGov poll published this week.
The polls come after leaders of 11 London councils wrote to the Prime Minister urging her to expand Gatwick.
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick CEO, said: “London has united behind Gatwick expansion as the only scheme that gives us guaranteed growth while limiting the impact on the environment.
“Crucially Gatwick expansion is the only plan that can actually be delivered and – unlike Heathrow – it does not need £5 billion of taxpayer funding. This money could otherwise be put towards vital infrastructure projects such as Crossrail 2, Thames river crossings and new homes.
“The UK cannot afford decades more of Heathrow delay – let’s get on and build a new runway at Gatwick.”
Gatwick also scored best on six out of seven key indicators YouGov monitored. The indicators were:
Negative impact on quality of life for local residents – Gatwick 54% vs 21%
Built at lowest cost to taxpayers – Gatwick 44% vs 25%
Encouraging vigorous competition – Gatwick 44% vs 25%
How quickly a new runway could be delivered – Gatwick 45% vs 27%
Certainty the new runway can be delivered – Gatwick 41% vs 30%
Regeneration benefits to local area – Gatwick 37% vs 34%
Economic benefits to UK – Gatwick 27% vs 49%
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