Following news that all three bidders for Gatwick Airport have included a second runway in their future plans, East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has reiterated his deep opposition to the idea.

The airport’s owner, BAA, took the decision to sell the airport last September after a Competition Commission report raised concerns over the company’s market dominance.

The three bidders for Gatwick are the Manchester Airport Group, Global Infrastructure Partners and the Lysander consortium.

Peter Ainsworth said:

“I have always been supportive of a single runway Gatwick, but this new revelation is extremely worrying; it appears that whoever wins the current tender, they will have a second runway in their sights.

“Thanks to a single runway legal agreement the bidders’ hands are tied until 2019, but it needs to be made crystal clear that any expansion plans will be met with fierce opposition now.

“Gatwick remains economically vital to many local communities – not least Horley in my own constituency – but this can not be used as a justification for expansion. The extra levels of noise and pollution will lead to an unacceptable blight on residents’ wellbeing and do no favours for our critical battle against climate change.”