Crawley News – Gatwick Airport

Gatwick will be ready for new runway in 7 years
4th June 2014 – Crawley News

Gatwick Airport has argued it is in a better position than Heathrow for expansion because it will be “road and rail ready” for a second runway by 2021.

Airport bosses unveiled proposed public transport improvements this week, with pledges that there will be a train to central London every two-and-a-half minutes by 2019.

Also promised were quicker journey times to the West End and City than Heathrow, and 1,000 railway stations accessible within one change.

Hugh Sumner, senior transport advisor for the airport, said: “Gatwick will be road and rail ready for a second runway by 2021 with no additional cost to the taxpayer.

“The ease at which these improvements can be delivered adds yet more weight to the obvious case for a new runway.

“We want 60 per cent of our customers to use public transport, comparable with the best globally and better than any UK airport.”

Passengers

Gatwick Airport railway station currently has 13 million passengers a year for airport purposes and one million who use it for commuting.

Airport bosses have said that not only will the public transport improvements place no additional burden on the taxpayer, but customers would actually generate £3 billion in rail ticket sales each year.

Airport passengers using the rail network would also help to fill trains in both directions off peak and in the opposite direction to commuters during peak periods.

Improved road links to the airport are also planned, with upgrades to the M23 approved to make it four lanes wide.

The airport has pledged to double capacity for vehicles at the junction 9 turn-off.

The A23 and Balcombe Road will also be diverted if the airport boundaries change due to expansion, to help prevent them becoming rat runs.

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