A new poll by YouGov has revealed that 74% of Sussex, Surrey and Kent residents who were surveyed support Gatwick’s plans to increase capacity by making better use of its existing runways, with 14% opposing the plans.
A high proportion (67%) of those asked also supported the airport’s plans to continue safeguarding land to its south, in case it is needed for a new runway to meet future long-term demand, with only 16% opposed this concept.
Over a third (38%) of those who supported Gatwick’s plans did so because of the potential increase in the airport’s contribution to the local economy, while 32% recognized the potential increase in travel connections and 27% believed the airport already owned the land required to increase capacity.
The polling was commissioned by Gatwick Airport to gather the views of local residents, following publication of its draft master plan [read the plan here] in October.
Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport, said, “These results show that an overwhelming majority of those residents in Sussex, Surrey and Kent who were surveyed both support our plans for growth and recognize how important they are in terms securing the region’s economic prosperity and new jobs for generations to come.
“Our draft master plan sets out our vision for the airport’s sustainable growth into the 2030s and explains how it can meet the UK’s increasing demand for air travel and global connectivity. The plan would help us to bolster the national and local economies for future generations and I encourage as many people as possible to take part in our ongoing consultation process.”
