Gatwick Airport has been reviewing plans for road improvements following its latest consultation on proposals to bring the northern runway into use to share departures with the main runway.
The six-week consultation, which closed on 27 July, focused on a revised package of improvements to improve access and safety, reduce congestion for both airport and non-airport traffic and encourage walking and cycling.
The proposals involve changes to three roundabouts, the M23 spur and A23, adding extra lanes and noise barriers in key locations and better surface water drainage.
Around the South Terminal, plans include:
- Adding an extra lane to the (eastbound) M23 spur, which will be re-classified as an A road known as the Gatwick Spur;
- a flyover above the South Terminal roundabout to take through-traffic to and from the M23 Junction 9;
- adding a third westbound lane at Airport Way and the A23 London Road to reduce the need for lane-changing over a short distance;
- and improving the eastbound link where traffic leaves the A23 onto Airport Way, which can be congested at peak times.
Around the North Terminal, the proposals involve:
- A westbound flyover and noise barrier between Airport Way and Longbridge roundabout (where the A23 London Road meets Povey Cross Road, A217 and A23 Brighton Road) to provide a direct route from the North Terminal south towards Crawley;
- a widened three-lane right turn onto the A23 with a noise barrier;
- the A23 would also be widened from the flyover to Longbridge roundabout;
- and improved connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between Longbridge roundabout and the North and South Terminals.
Bringing the northern runway into a shared operation with the main runway is part of the airport’s long-term growth plan to increase passenger numbers to 75 million a year, generate 18,400 jobs and bring an additional £1.5 bn into the local economy.
The northern runway project is categorised as a Significant Infrastructure Project and will require a Development Consent Order from Government inspectors before it can proceed.
For further information see the consultation papers.