Kent County Council Delighted With Heathrow Recommendation

In its response to the Air Commission recommendation for a new northwest runway at Heathrow Airport, Kent County Council says the decision will be a "huge relief" for thousands of residents.

Yesterday the Airports Commission published its final report, which sets out its recommendations to government for expanding aviation capacity in the UK.

While each of the three schemes shortlisted was considered a credible option for expansion, the Commission concluded the proposal for a new northwest runway at Heathrow Airport, combined with a significant package of measures to address its environmental and community impacts, presents the strongest case.

It agreed it offers the greatest strategic and economic benefits - providing around 40 new destinations from the airport and more than 70,000 new jobs by 2050.

Matthew Balfour, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "We are delighted the Airports Commission in seeking to increase airport capacity has not opted for a further runway at Gatwick.

"This will come as a huge relief for thousands of residents in West Kent.

"Kent would have suffered negative impacts in terms of increased aviation noise from more than a doubling of aircraft movements.

"Aviation noise in West Kent from Gatwick's current single runway configuration is already unacceptable and a potential doubling of this impact with a second runway would have been intolerable.

"A lack of transport infrastructure to accommodate the additional demand from a second runway at Gatwick would result in further congestion and delay on the strategic road and rail networks.

"This is in contrast with the planned step changes in surface access by rail to Heathrow, specifically through the provision of Crossrail, HS2 and Western Rail Access.

"This is a victory of common sense for residents and communities in West Kent and we applaud the Sir Howard Davies' Airports Commission for taking the right decision. We now hope that the Government accepts this recommendation.

"Current noise levels are destroying residents lives in West Kent and KCC will continue fighting for varying flight paths to spread the burden of planes flying over homes more equitably."