Second runway 'safety risk'

The report looked at the risks of crashing on take-off and landing

Building a second runway at Gatwick would be dangerous, a new study has claimed.

The Oxford University Aviation Study Group report, commissioned by local campaigners against expansion, looked at safety issues surrounding any new runway.

The aspects assessed include turbulence, noise - and the possibility of crashing on take-off or landing.

The report, called Why a Second Runway at Gatwick Won't Work, is to be used by people living nearby who object to the proposals.

Physical constraints

Peter Barclay, of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, said: "I think they've got to look at it.

"There are people who are suggesting we need the extra runways at Gatwick and they are making these suggestions without having a full knowledge or full awareness of what the local physical constraints are.

"We want people to become aware what those constraints are and the safety implications and therefore the economic implications."

The report's authors said they were raising concerns rather than providing hard evidence.

'Acceptable options'

But they concluded the environmental and operational aspects of developing a new runway must be considered.

Tim Lockwood, of BAA at Gatwick, said the company was aware of residents' concerns.

He said: "We are familiar with their case and that of other people as well. There are of course people who would quite like to see another runway at Gatwick.

"For BAA's part, we have merely said to the government that Gatwick is one option of four, from which it should choose up to three.

"The other two airports where we believe there are acceptable options are Heathrow and Stansted.

"But, we are not advocating which of these airports should actually have a runway designated in the White Paper."

The government's decision is expected in an aviation White Paper later this year.