Gatwick airport railway station improvements proposed

Network Rail and Gatwick Airport Ltd have come together to put forward a proposal for improvements to Gatwick railway station.

The Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM) listened to proposed plans to refurbish the forecourt of the South Terminal and railway station last Thursday(April 30).

Chairman of GATCOM, Dr John Godfrey, said: "There has been a great deal of speculation about what level of investment there will be for the station, and the badly needed improvement scheme for both the concourse as well as the track and signalling.

"Hopefully, we will learn much more during the presentation by Network Rail and Gatwick Airport Ltd.

"Gatwick will be a major gateway into Britain for the Olympics, and there has been strong support for a scheme that will provide visitors with a welcoming experience as well as improving services in the long term."

GATCOM and Gatwick Airport Ltd are due to liaise in order to discuss preliminary plans before a public consultation takes place.

Dr Godfrey said: "The Government has said that the aim of the Noise Action Plan at all airports is to manage and reduce environmental noise where necessary, and maintain noise quality where it is good.

"This is obviously a major issue for people living close to Gatwick and its flight paths, and we will be working closely to ensure, as far as practicable, that a plan emerges from this process that meets the operational needs of the airport and its neighbours."