Gatwick vows to start building second runway by 2020
The announcement is the latest salvo in the battle between Heathrow and Gatwick to win government backing for airport expansion.
- Simon Harris: Political Correspondent
Gatwick 'could link to more destinations' than Heathrow
- Gatwick claims a second runway, to open in 2025, would link the UK to more destinations than a three-runway Heathrow
- Heathrow and Gatwick were shortlisted as favourites in December by the government's Airports Commission
- Commission chairman Sir Howard Davies said a new airport in the Thames estuary merited further investigation but a so-called "Boris Island" is now thought increasingly unlikely
More top news
-
Police create dispersal zones around south London raves
The unlicensed events unfolded on Saturday night at Clapham Common and Tooting Bec Common.
-
Second man dies in River Thames drowning
A 37 year old man who was taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in a stretch of water near Maidenhead has died.
-
Teenager jailed for throwing six year old boy off Tate balcony
Jonty Bravery, who is mentally ill, has been jailed for 15 years after throwing a six year old boy from the Tate modern balcony.