Gatwick second runway approved by Transport Secretary

Plans to build a second runway at London Gatwick Airport have been approved by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

The £2.2bn privately-funded project will involve moving the current Northern Runway by 12m to allow it to be used for regular short haul flights

Stewart Wingate, VINCI Airports Managing Director for United Kingdom, said: “After a lengthy and rigorous planning process, we welcome the Government’s approval of plans to bring our Northern Runway into routine use, ahead of the expected deadline.

“This is another important gateway in the planning process for this investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for Gatwick and the UK by creating thousands of jobs.”

The project also includes a number of new buildings as well as extensions to both of the airport’s North and South Terminals.

There will also be improvements undertaken to the surrounding roads, including a new flyover across the South Terminal roundabout.