Chancellor set to back Gatwick expansion despite environmentalists' concerns
They say bringing a second runway into use would be 'catastrophic'
Expanding Gatwick Airport would be "catastrophic", environmental groups have claimed, amid reports that the Chancellor is preparing to back the project.
Rachel Reeves is expected to use a speech on growth next week to support plans for the West Sussex hub to bring its current emergency taxiway into use as a third runway.
She is also expected to endorse expansion at Heathrow and Luton Airports, according to news agency Bloomberg News.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has a deadline of February 27th to make a decision on whether to allow Gatwick to bring its existing emergency northern runway into routine use.
Opponents of airport expansion claim boosting flights would be damaging for the environment.
Alethea Warrington, head of aviation at climate charity Possible, said:
"Approving airport expansions would be a catastrophic misstep for a Government which claims to be a climate leader.
"This huge increase in emissions won't help our economy, and would just encourage the small group of frequent flyers who take most of the flights, further worsening the UK's huge tourism deficit."
She added that the Government should focus on supporting "affordable and low-carbon trains and buses".
Jenny Bates, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"A decision to green-light another runway at Heathrow would be hugely irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency and given 2024 was the first year to surpass the all-important 1.5 degrees threshold.
"It would also fly in the face of the Prime Minister's promise to show international leadership on climate change."
She added that airport expansions would "bring worse air pollution and noise disturbance for local people".
Heathrow's third runway project secured parliamentary approval in June 2018 but has been delayed by legal challenges over the environmental impact, and the coronavirus pandemic.
There is currently no Development Consent Order application for the scheme, and it is up to Heathrow if it submits one.
Paul McGuinness, who chairs anti-Heathrow expansion group the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said Gatwick and Luton's expansion projects are "oven ready" whereas an application by Heathrow would take "years to process".
He added:
"Any signals from Government that Heathrow's expansion will not be impeded are meaningless, when other expansions in the South East will have already rendered Heathrow expansion uneconomic.
"There will be no yield from investing in it and no carbon budget left for it."
A Government spokesman said:
"We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK's aviation sector.
"All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations."