Agenda item - Gatwick Masterplan Update

Presentation

23.1      The Board received a presentation from Lisa Lewis of Gatwick Airport Ltd providing an update on the Gatwick Airport Masterplan.

23.2      The Chair welcomed the presentation as the growth of Gatwick Airport would have an important impact across the region and it was interesting to hear the proposals to mitigate effects.

23.3      Andrew Swayne asked what measures were being take into improve transport links to Gatwick Airport and whether there would be investment in the railway station.

23.4      Lisa Lewis explained that a scoping exercise was being undertaken to expand the railway station and work was underway on the widening and improvement of the M23. Baseline information had also been gathered on the future growth and how that would relate to the local transport network and the routes staff and commuters would take.

23.5      Councillor Lamb stated that the expansion of the station would only mitigate existing growth and in his view, additional and significant investment was required to address further growth. In addition, Councillor Lamb stated that additional expansion of the airport should not come at a cost to the quality of life to those in the Crawley area.

23.6      Lisa Lewis replied that Gatwick Airport were committed to putting the right infrastructure in place and Gatwick would meet the cost of that infrastructure and were keenly aware to mitigate any environmental impact.

23.7      Councillor Janio stated that east to west connectivity would also be an important matter and asked if any detail on that issue was available.

23.8      Lisa Lewis clarified that that would be an issue reviewed in the long-term.