Gatwick workers say expansion is needed for sustainable growth

The rally, held in Crawley High Street on Saturday, also drew campaigners set firmly against a proposed second runway at Gatwick.

More than 100 airport workers and union activists joined forces to argue that a second runway would not only secure their jobs but the livelihoods of others as well.

Those in favour also claim expansion at the West Sussex site is the best way to avert an "environmental disaster" by building a new airport at Cliffe.

'Sustainable argument'

One speaker told listeners he feared more than 3,000 businesses would move away from the area if Gatwick did not expand.

He argued for that sustained growth was the best option for the future of Gatwick and the surrounding area.

Labour MP for Hove Ivor Caplin came out in support of Gatwick expansion.

He said: "The alternative would be a brand new airport at Cliffe, in Kent, which in my view would be a significant environmental disaster compared to the sustainable argument that can be made for building the second runway at Gatwick."

'One-industry town'

The organisers of the rally said they now planned to take their case to Westminster.

But campaigners against the proposals, which could see the village of Charlwood disappear under the tarmac of a new runway, were unmoved by the arguments for growth.

Anti-airport protester Brenda Smith said: "You have to balance the cost to the town.

"Crawley is a thriving town and I don't want to see it become a one-industry town."

A report released by the BAA in May called for three new runways to be built in the South East - and put forward a new runway at Gatwick as one of four preferred options.

The options for Gatwick would see a new full-length runway either parallel and to the south of the existing one or a northern runway 2,900 metres from it.

Passenger numbers could increase from 32 million a year to 115 million - and bring more people to live in the area to support this.