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Gatwick Airport begins search for contractors for £75m planning work

Gatwick Airport has today announced it is searching for bidders to carry out £75m worth of design and planning work in preparation for a potential second runway at the airport.

The work is separated into three frameworks: airport planning services; architectural, structural and building services projects, and multi-discipline design and engineering for projects greater than £5m.

In particular, the airport has specified that planning services framework will relate directly to key infrastructure and planning associated with any potential second runway.

The work is part of £2.5bn worth of transformation spending that Gatwick has earmarked and aims to have completed by 2021.

With a government decision due this year on whether Gatwick or Heathrow will get the greenlight for another runway, the works are being utilised to display the airport’s readiness for further expansion.

Raymond Melee, Gatwick Airport’s Development Director said: “The publication of three new frameworks sends a clear message to the industry that Gatwick has a pipeline of major construction work that will satisfy all types of construction industry partners.

“We are investing £2.5 billion to transform our airport and continue to drive growth, while we wait for the green light to start building our second runway.

“With frameworks spanning a five year time-frame, it’s important that potential partners in the runway build are included in these frameworks so that we can keep the process moving forward.

He concluded by further staking Gatwick’s claim to have another runway built at the airport when he added: “Gatwick is the only deliverable option which can satisfy the government’s ambition to have another runway built in the South East by 2025. A second runway at Gatwick will provide greater economic benefits than a third runway at Heathrow at a fraction of the environmental cost.”

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