DEVELOPING: Transport Secretary Greenlights Gatwick Second Runway Amid Widespread Opposition

Transport Secretary Approves Gatwick Second Runway Plan Amid Widespread Opposition Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved plans for a second runway at London Gatwick Airport, despite widespread opposition. The £2.2 billion project involves moving the current Northern Runway 12 meters to bring it into regular use. The plan is expected to increase flights from around 280,000 per year to approximately 389,000 by the late 2030s. Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims the project will create "thousands of jobs and billions in investment". Gatwick Airport has faced long-standing opposition over expansion plans, with the Green Party describing the second runway as a "disaster". The government source describes the plans as a "no-brainer for growth", suggesting that planes could be taking off from a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election in 2029. The approval of the second runway plan is part of the government's efforts to boost economic growth. However, the project has been met with significant resistance from local communities and environmental groups. This is a developing story, with further updates expected as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*