Gatwick Airport claims second runway will boost SE1 regeneration

This week Southwark Council leader Peter John gave his backing to Gatwick's expansion bid: "Government policy makes airport expansion inevitable, so we need to make sure now that any expansion offers benefits to our residents and will deliver real jobs and growth to Southwark," he said.

"I am backing Gatwick's plans which offer a real opportunity for Southwark and south London. More frequent trains for London Bridge, the opportunity for local people to access thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships and opportunities for businesses to supply the new airport will all benefit local people.

"Noise from aircraft, particularly in the south of the borough is a real headache for local people as flights come in to land at Heathrow. Gatwick flights predominantly fly south of London over less built up areas so far fewer people will be affected."

Gatwick is 28 minutes from London Bridge Station by train and 40 minutes from Elephant & Castle Railway Station.

Gatwick's expansion bid documents claim that the area around both stations would be boosted by a second runway.

"A second runway at Gatwick will support the transformation of London Bridge into one of the most advantageous and vibrant business districts within the capital, as a location that will offer excellent accessibility to the airport, traditional CAZ, the City of London and Canary Wharf," claims the www.gatwickobviously.com website.

"This will help to achieve a longstanding aim to increase the economic focus of the City of London south of river and support the growth of up to 25,000 jobs envisaged for the area by 2026.

"Expansion at Gatwick will also support the growing importance of the area as a world leading centre for medical training, research and treatment with the location of Guy's Hospital and the King's College Medical School in the area, both of which enjoy significant international prestige.

"Additionally, the fast connections to Gatwick and increased choice of flights offered through a second runway will support the objective of the London Plan in promoting the Strategic Cultural Area of South Bank, Bankside and London Bridge.

"With increasing hotel development in the area, expansion at Gatwick will support a repositioning of London Bridge not only a gateway but as a destination in its own right and an extension of the South Bank and Bankside offer. "

The same document adds that "Gatwick will open up direct employment opportunities
for the local population of Elephant & Castle which still has pockets of deprivation.

"The area will be directly connected to the airport within 40 minutes, and could play a role in repositioning Elephant & Castle as an attractive commercial location as constrained Central London expands."

The airport also claims that new passenger and freight air links from Gatwick could prove beneficial for the Latin American businesses at Elephant & Castle.