Infrastructure Tops Concerns as Community Weighs Gatwick Expansion
Survey reveals what matters most to local residents
Back in January, we asked: how do you feel about Gatwick’s second runway expansion? More than 500 of you shared your views.
Survey results have given us a valuable snapshot of local opinion across our eight areas, though of course they don’t capture every local perspective. What they reveal: this isn’t a simple story of “for” or “against.” The reality is far more nuanced.
A balanced split
Opinion is quite evenly split. Just over half of respondents (52%) support the expansion – 37% very positive and 15% somewhat positive. Meanwhile, 38% oppose it, with 29% very negative and 9% somewhat negative. Another 10% remain neutral or are still forming their opinion.
Responses came from right across our seven distribution areas – Burgess Hill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horley, Horsham, Reigate, and areas in between. We heard from homeowners and renters, people in work and retirees, business owners and parents.
What matters most
When we asked what concerns you most, three issues dominated: noise pollution (15% of all concerns raised), air quality and emissions (14%), and traffic congestion (12%). Economic factors weren’t far behind. This helps explain the division: people are weighing benefits against concerns about daily life.
Noise emerged as a major concern, with 56% worried about increased aircraft noise. Residents described needing noise-cancelling headphones inside their own homes, being unable to open windows on certain days, and the smell of aviation fuel in the morning air.
The issue that unites everyone
If there’s one finding that cuts across supporters and opponents alike, it’s this: 72% believe local infrastructure cannot handle the expansion as things stand. Fifty-four percent said infrastructure is “already stretched,” while 18% said it could work “only if significant investment is made first.” Just 24% felt confident that proper planning would be sufficient.
These weren’t vague concerns. Respondents pointed to specific examples: GP surgeries where you can’t get appointments, East Surrey Hospital already working near capacity, roads in poor repair that gridlock with one incident, trains standing-room-only at peak times.
The concerns about added pressure on emergency services are particularly pressing – how the hospital would cope with both increased population and any major incident at an expanded airport is a critical question.
Several mentioned that recent housing developments came with infrastructure promises that never quite materialised – making them sceptical about assurances this time.
Public transport reliability was another significant concern. Gatwick’s proposal assumes more passengers and workers will arrive by train and bus rather than car, but many questioned whether this is realistic. “A single cancelled train overnight could mean a two-hour wait for the next one,” wrote one Horley resident.
Others noted trains are already overcrowded with little space for luggage. Some offered constructive suggestions including more frequent bus routes for airport workers on shift patterns, and improved connections from surrounding towns. Without reliable, frequent public transport, people will continue to drive, worsening the congestion concerns that 53% flagged as a priority.
What about the jobs?
Gatwick estimates the expansion could create up to 14,000 jobs. While 58% viewed this positively, 33% immediately flagged concerns about infrastructure and housing capacity.
Many positions would likely be filled by people already living locally, though some questioned whether the area can support any growth without infrastructure investment first.
One Haywards Heath resident summed it up: “The increase in jobs will need increased infrastructure – accommodation for workers and their families, which in turn will need more GPs, dentists, school places. My concern is, where will it all go?”
Legal challenge update
Since the article in our January edition, a High Court challenge to the runway approval has been heard. Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) and the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign are challenging Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s decision to approve the plans, with the Department for Transport and Gatwick Airport Limited opposing the challenge.
The four-day hearing took place in January 2026, with a decision expected in late February. At the time this magazine went to print, the outcome remained unknown, and a ruling against the project could potentially derail the expansion.
Many unanswered questions
Whether the expansion proceeds or not, one thing is clear: infrastructure investment isn’t optional – it’s essential. The concerns raised about roads, healthcare, schools, housing, and public transport need addressing regardless of what happens with the runway.
Thank you for taking the time to share your views. We’re grateful so many of you engaged with this important local issue. We’d welcome hearing from local councils, transport providers, healthcare trusts, and others who can shed light on infrastructure plans. If the expansion proceeds following the High Court decision, we’ll be actively seeking answers to your questions.
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