On Thursday, 18 December, Peter Ainsworth MP spoke out about the leaked secret plans to build a second runway at Gatwick Airport.

Gatwick is close to Mr Ainsworth’s East Surrey constituency and he is a member of the group of local authorities and MPs who are all opposed to the building of a second runway.

Theresa Villiers, the Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary today issued a statement in which she made clear the Conservatives’ continued opposition to a second runway:

“Conservatives are opposed to another runway at Gatwick. We have consistently opposed a predict-and-provide approach to airport capacity. We believe that a combination of high speed rail, selective regional expansion and more competition between airport operators offers a much more environmentally-friendly way to improve the nation's airports.

“This proposal would put a serious strain on local infrastructure. Furthermore the proposed schedule is a clear breach of the spirit of the original agreement.”

Mr Ainsworth commented:

“I recognise the importance of Gatwick to the local economy, but people simply don’t want an airport the size of Heathrow on their doorsteps.

“Adding another runway would increase Gatwick’s capacity from 45m passengers a year to a colossal 80m.  Creating a facility that size would mean building another town the size of Crawley.  Local authorities already have enough trouble accommodating the thousands of new homes that the Government insists are built.

“Local infrastructure can’t cope as it is and I seriously doubt it could be improved enough to make this an even vaguely sensible idea – already our hospitals, transport links and water supplies are over-stretched and under-funded.

“The environmental consequences would also be horrific – find me a local person who would welcome the increase in traffic and noise pollution, the permanent damage to so much of our beautiful countryside – not to mention the listed buildings and 300 family homes that would need to be demolished.

“Local people can rest assured that Conservatives will continue to fight any plans, whoever they originate from, to build a second runway at Gatwick.  We believe that Gatwick can expand and flourish as a single runway airport.”