HC Deb 30 July 1954 vol 531 cc131-2W
Captain Hewitson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many undeveloped sites over 30 miles from London were considered in reaching his decision to develop Gatwick.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Eighteen, in addition to a further 18 less than 30 miles from London.

Captain Hewitson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent, in reaching his decision to develop Gatwick Airport, a pattern of air traffic control was worked out for Cliffe, Kent; and why this alternative site was rejected.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The site was rejected for the following reasons which made it superfluous to work out a pattern of air traffic control:

  1. (a) The air space near the Thames Estuary is restricted by two airways, by danger areas and approach sectors for two R.A.F. aerodromes. This makes it impossible to find enough room for a control zone for Cliffe or for a holding area reasonably near Cliffe where aircraft could wait their turn to land during bad weather.
  2. (b) Aircraft flying to and from the Channel Islands, which would form an important part of the traffic using the aerodrome, would have to cross the two airways between London Airport and France.
  3. (c) Cliffe would cost more than Gatwick to build, its weather is worse 132 than Gatwick's, and its access to London is so bad as to rule this site out altogether.