17/12/2013 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Natalie Graham. And I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories: What do the plans for airport expansion in the

South East mean for you? A huge new airport off the Kent coast is still

on the table as the commisshon on the table as the commission

reveals its proposals. We h`ve on the table as the commisshon

reveals its proposals. We h`ve the chance to make our case and we can

argue the costs and the environmental impacts. Most people

cannot believe they are even thinking about it. It is a beautiful

close to live. And Gatwick is on the short list

with plans for a second runway south of the existing one. We'll be

getting the latest reaction from our reporters live at Gatwick, the Isle

of Grain and Westminster. Also in tonight's programme: A

dubious honour for K Collegd ` it's become the first in the country to

be stripped of some powers hn a new government crackdown.

A message from Muamba ` he tells the Albion's youth squad to start

looking for a career outsidd football.

And the uplifting story of the 91`year`old woman who goes to the

gym three times a week. Good evening. People who live in

North Kent and near Gatwick Airport face the possibility of years of

disruption and protest with both sites under consideration as the

government looks to expand airport capacity. The independent commission

investigating additional runways in the South East has short`listed

Gatwick for expansion, leaving the door open for a huge new hub airport

on the Isle of Grain. In a moment we'll hear reaction from Gatwick,

but first, let's cross to our environment correspondent Yvette

Austin, on the Isle of Grain. What is the feeling there tonight?

You can see behind me the Grade I listed Norman church.

If the airport plans for the Isle listed Norman church.

If the airport plans for thd Isle of If the airport plans for the Isle of

Grain are given the go`ahead, it would have to be moved. A question

mark hangs over the graveyard and 2,000 residents would have to leave.

They thought they would havd learned They thought they would have learned

today what lies ahead, but instead the uncertainty continues. Boris

Island may be scrapped, but world renowned architect Lord Foster's

plan is still in the frame. If a new airport is to be built,

plan is still in the frame. If a new airport is to be btilt it

If a new airport is to be built, it will be built here on the Isle of

Grain. It is not on the short list, but neither is Norman Foster 's plan

for aid for we runway hub being ruled out. The costs are very high

and the environmental obstacles are difficult to rule out, but on the

other hand we have not been able at this point to satisfy ourselves that

they cannot be overcome or that the costs may be justified if you think

about the general `` benefits. We have a chance to make our case

and we can argue about the costs and the environmental impacts. People

can weigh up both options. If you can weigh up both options. If you

want a hot airport you eithdr got can weigh up both options. Hf you

want a hot airport you eithdr got to Heathrow or the new solution.

Original estimates put Norman Foster's plan at ?50 billion

although he said it would bd less. It can handle 150 million passengers

It can handle 150 million p`ssengers each year with high`speed rail

It can handle 150 million passengers each year with high`speed r`il links

each year with high`speed rail links capable of carrying 300 passengers

each day. Local residents tonight had this to say...

It will cost them a lot of money had this to say...

It will cost them a lot of loney to move the gasworks apart from the

move the gasworks apart frol the houses. There is a lot of industry

that they will have to do away with. If they were going to do it, they

would have done it by now. There are a lot of jobs possibly. Most people

cannot believe they are even thinking about it. It is a beautiful

place to live. The environmdnt, the boards, everything.

But others say it would regenerate the area, bringing jobs and

prosperity. A hub airport in North Kent would bring untold benefits

prosperity. A hub airport in North Kent would bring untold bendfits for

Kent would bring untold benefits for up to 500,000 people when it is

built in a few years time. The fact is we desperately need it. The

campaign on both sides will continue. Residents will hope for an

early decision next year. So next year more studies will be

done to establish whether Lord Foster's plan as a credible one to

be included in the short list will stop that should be done by next

autumn and will not delay the publishing of the final report due

after the next general election So while there's still uncertainty

over whether a hub airport on the Isle of Grain will make the

commission's short`list, a second runway at Gatwick Airport has

commission's short`list, a second runway at Gatwick Airport h`s been

runway at Gatwick Airport has been confirmed as one of the proposals

being considered. Our business being considered. Our busindss

correspondent Mark Norman's at Gatwick Airport. Mark, bossds there

Gatwick Airport. Mark, bosses there must be pleased.

Yes, but let's remind ourselves why we're here. Howard Davies has

accepted the prediction that passenger numbers will double by

2050, meaning airports like Gatwick be full by 2030. So he has to find a

solution and Gatwick believe that solution is a second runway here.

Now that they have made the short`list, one of the directors

here told me today that the prospect of a second runway here now feels

real. For the bosses of Gatwick this is

good news. They have made it onto the short list and while respecting

an agreement is not to build a new runway before 2019, the airport

believe they can provide the additional runway capacity that Sir

Howard says we need. We would love to be constructing in the e`rly part

of 2020. This is how a second runway might look. A futuristic vision and

beyond. Opponents living next to any second runway do not share that

vision. We are going to have second runway do not share that

vision. We are going to havd 30 to vision. We are going to have 30 to

40,000 new people moving into a new area with new homes required,

schools, education, doctors and a hospital. It will all be horribly

congested and people do not want that. On the line lime green where

homes and businesses will only be metres from a second runway, Opinium

and ends next. At the moment it is not good because they will have to

get rid of some of the housds and get rid of some of the houses and

for the residents it will not be good. There should be a second

runway at Gatwick. What would it do for the town? It would do a lot for

the town and the whole of Crawley. It could bring more people hnto the

It could bring more people into the town but it will come over towards

my direction, so if it affects me I will say no. Any second runway would

impact businesses on the county's largest industrial estate, but many

companies you're relying on the Crooks Eto'o to the airport. I

believe that if things happdn, it would be nice to see them happen

would be nice to see them h`ppen quicker, perhaps rather than waiting

five or ten years. The airport needs to be expanded. The airport's

commission will do more work on all the options before delivering water

Howard Davies' disgrace as a robust Howard Davies' disgrace as ` robust

final recommendation to government and the summer of 2015. Of course,

Gatwick wants to be that robust recommendation. Local MP Henry Smith

said he will continue to talk to the airport about mitigating ag`inst

said he will continue to talk to the airport about mitigating against any

impact any second runway will have on the tone of Crawley.

So, we know there could be ` on the tone of Crawley.

So, we know there could be a second So, we know there could be ` second

runway at Gatwick or a brand`new airport in North Kent, but ` number

airport in North Kent, but a number of other options have now bden

of other options have now been definitely ruled out. The so`called

"Boris Island" proposal, for a floating airport in the Thales

Estuary off North Kent, has sunk without a trace. It was judged to be

too complex and too expensive to be viable. And there's no placd

too complex and too expensive to be viable. And there's no place on the

viable. And there's no placd on the Davies Commission short`list for

Lydd Airport near Folkestond, or Davies Commission short`list for

Lydd Airport near Folkestone, or for Lydd Airport near Folkestond, or for

Manston Airport in Thanet. That's Manston Airport in Thanet. That's

disappointed those campaigners fighting for the expansion of our

smaller regional airports. We are talking about a much growing

market, we are looking at a doubling the number of the passenger journeys

in the United Kingdom over the next few decades and the role for

additional capacity and specialist capacity. Manston Airport is the

fourth`largest freighter airport in the UK so we are already thd filling

the UK so we are already the filling parts of this role.

Our political dditor Louise Stewart joins us from Westminster. Louise,

this review will do nothing to end the huge political row over airport

expansion. Absolutely not. We have no clear way forward today and

no clear way forward today `nd people may be disappointed by that.

Sir Howard Davies looked at seven options in the Thames Estuary. He

has come forward with one option at Gatwick of another runway and an

option looking at two kings of expansion at Heathrow. He has

option looking at two kings of expansion at Heathrow. He h`s not

expansion at Heathrow. He has not ruled out a new hub airport on the

Isle of Grain, but it has to be said, it looks like an outside

option because it is much more expensive than the other proposals.

He will not rule on that until next year.

It will be a long`time before any runways are actually built?

Absolutely, even if they were to get the go`ahead, Gatwick could not

start building until 2019 anyway. What has happened today is still

uncertainty for those living in Kent and Sussex but as for the politics,

politicians have welcomed this report with the Lib Dems against

politicians have welcomed this report with the Lib Dems ag`inst the

report with the Lib Dems against the expansion at Heathrow. Instdad of

putting the arguments to bed, we have been reignited.

You can see our full interview with You can see our full interview with

Sir Howard Davies on our Facebook page and we want to know wh`t

Sir Howard Davies on our Facebook page and we want to know what you

page and we want to know wh`t you think about his report. Would a new

hub airport in North Kent secure jobs and prosperity for futtre

jobs and prosperity for future generations, or destroy the

environment? Do you support a second runway at Gatwick? Send your e`mails

to: Or get in touch via Facdbook runway at Gatwick? Send your e`mails

to: Or get in touch via Facebook or to: Or get in touch via Facdbook or

Twitter. We'll hear your views later in the

programme. And for detailed information, reaction and analysis,

log on to our websites: programme. And for detailed

information, reaction In a moment: They're on a slow boat

from China ` why Whitstable's festive illuminations still aren't

on display. Governors at a further educ`tion

Governors at a further education college in Kent have been stripped

of direct control of its st`ffing of direct control of its st`ffing

and finances. The government has put the failing K College ` which has

sites in Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells ` into

administered college status with immediate effect. It's the first

college in the country to bd immediate effect. It's the first

college in the country to be placed under such special measures and

comes after it was rated inadequate comes after it was rated in`dequate

by Ofsted. Simon Jones reports. It's a college that experienced

financial meltdown running up debts of ?16 million with its fivd

of ?16 million with its five campuses set to be broken up.

Obviously it is bad but as long as I get my degree that is all I care

about. If I go out to the workplace and I cannot find a job bec`use I

have not been taught properly `` then I will have a problem. The

classes are too bed and there is only one teacher. Other people need

help at times, it is unbelievable. Ofsted found the college had easily

suffered from the net managdment and suffered from the net managdment and

uncertainty over the future existence of the college is severely

affecting the experience of learners. Teaching, learning and

assessment are deemed inadepuate. The government has concluded that it

does not believe the existence governments as the capacity and

capability to oversee the transformation of the college seeing

that changes are urgently ndeded. We that changes are urgently ndeded. We

have put K College into a administered status which means that

we are taking a direct grip on it from Westminster in order to turn it

around. Despite protests last year, 160 staff have been made redundant

but Ofsted Ricky buys the current principal who arrived at thd

but Ofsted Ricky buys the ctrrent principal who arrived at the start

of the gear has stabilised ` of the gear has stabilised `

potential chaotic situation, but the Commissioner for further edtcation

Commissioner for further education needs greater involvement. Obviously

we are not proud of the fact that the Commissioner has had to

intervene, however we are grateful for the support and we look forward

to working with them becausd the to working with them becausd the

results are all about the students year at the Mormon and our learners

next year. K College except it will be worrying for students if the

college is put into Administration. This is not the same as a company

going into administration, however. Lessons will continue as Norman ``

normal as plans for its futtre normal as plans for its future

continue. A man has been sentenced to nine

months in prison for his part in an attack in Brighton which left a man

fighting for his life. Ryan Geall from Lancing spent weeks in hospital

and needed brain surgery after he was punched outside a nightclub last

December. Nathan Mhuto from Sussex has been jailed for affray `nd

has been jailed for affray and common assault. Ryan's family say it

has been a long ordeal. A gang of four men who threatened

A gang of four men who thre`tened staff with knives and a handgun

during a series of violent robberies across Kent and Sussex has been

sentenced to a total of mord across Kent and Sussex has been

sentenced to a total of more than 40 sentenced to a total of mord than 40

years in prison. The men stole money, cigarettes and scratch cards

from six different newsagents and convenience stores. One of the group

was caught after officers found a photo of him wearing the same pyjama

bottoms worn by a suspect in one of the robberies.

Fracking could generate millions of pounds and create thousands of jobs

in the UK economy, according to a new government report. The Dnergy

new government report. The Energy Minister Michael Fallon has set out

his plans for exploratory drilling across the UK. This summer, hundreds

of campaigners protested against of campaigners protested ag`inst

test drilling for oil and gas of campaigners protested against

test drilling for oil and g`s at test drilling for oil and g`s at

Balcombe in East Sussex. But the government says that it will

compensate any communities which are affected. Fiona Irving reports.

Thousands protested over fr`cking in Thousands protested over fracking in

the summer but it does not seem to have deterred the government who

publish their plans for the future of fracking in the UK. We dhd

publish their plans for the future of fracking in the UK. We did not

of fracking in the UK. We dhd not know until last year just how much

she gas is underneath the likes of she gas is underneath the likes of

Scotland, Wales and also in the south of England. We may well see

some applications coming forward now to look for shale gas in thd South

East. As an incentive communities will get ?100,000 for each well

tracked and 1% of the revenue. It will get ?100,000 for each well

tracked and 1% of the revente. It is tracked and 1% of the revenue. It is

a financial season that somd say a financial season that some say

they just do not want. How luch they just do not want. How much

money as your health, the environment, the cleanliness of your

Waterworth? It must be worth a dancing more than that. Fracking is

100% safe. You are driving ` dancing more than that. Fracking is

100% safe. You are driving a good 100% safe. You are driving a good

well, it is OK. But the scidntists well, it is OK. But the scidntists

are saying that there are chemicals involved that could cause c`ncer or

both defects. I have never told anyone to consume fracking fluid but

there is no connection to what you are seeing.

It will remain controversial but today the government stepped up its

search for Honshu will `` onshore oil and gas.

Our top story tonight: People living in North Kent and near Gatwick

Airport face the possibilitx of years of disruption and protest with

both sites under consideration both sites under considerathon

tonight as the government looks to expand airport capacity. Also in

tonight's programme: An uplhfting tonight's programme: An uplifting

woman ` the 91`year`old who follows a gruelling exercise regime.

Tomorrow looks to be blustery, join you later in the programme for more

details. Fabrice Muamba is the footballer

details. Fabrice Muamba is the footb`ller who

Fabrice Muamba is the footballer who came back from the dead. For 75

minutes paramedics fought to revive him on the pitch after he suffered a

him on the pitch after he stffered a cardiac arrest. Today he was

speaking with young players at Brighton and Hove Albion's

development squad, offering them an insight into planning for a life

away from football, whether they make it as a professional or not.

Neil Bell has tonight's special report. This was the first time

Fabrice Muamba had touched the ball and months. Less than two years ago

and months. Less than two ydars ago he was a Premier League regular and

he was a Premier League regtlar and then out of the blue his career was

over. All of a sudden I heard this bank. I had heart failure. He

suffered a massive heart attack during an FA Cup tie at Tottenham

Hotspur. He admits proper attention and some luck saved his life. After

months of treatment, him made an emotional farewell to the game he

loved and now hopes to perstade younger players to think about a

light John Souttar ball. I'd enjoy speaking to younger players because

when I came to England I did not know how to speak to people and let

them know that they can do lore know how to speak to people and let

them know that they can do more. You them know that they can do more. You

can achieve more after your career. There are several local plaxers

can achieve more after your career. There are several local players and

the Brighton and Hove Albion scored who know just how hard rejection as

a youngster can be. I wrote my 6th a youngster can be. I wrote my 16th

birthday I was called into ` room birthday I was called into ` room

and told that it was all over. I and told that it was all over. I

took a lonely walk onto my to tell them which was one of the worst

quotes I have ever done. Back in 1992, half a dozen Manchester United

1992, half a dozen Manchestdr United teenagers from the same youth team

including David Beckham went on to become household names. Today's

including David Beckham went on to become household names. Tod`y's crop

become household names. Today's crop at Brighton now that football theme

is very elusive. When we first started we only thought about

started we only thought abott playing football. But everyone knows

what can happen and you can retire and need another back`up plan. They

loved football and with luck it will be the life, but it is no longer the

only goal. Her exercise regime would put

only goal. Her exercise regime would ptt many

people more than half her age to shame, but at the age of 91, Daphne

Bernard visits the gym three times shame, but at the age of 91, Daphne

Bernard visits the gym thred times a week, and does a full work out,

including lifting weights. Jane Witherspoon went to meet the

Witherspoon went to meet thd grandmother from Eastbourne to find

out just how she stays so energetic. Age is just a number for Daphne

Bernard. At 91 she still visits her local gym three times each week.

Bernard. At 91 she still visits her local gym three times each week For

local gym three times each week. For her exercise as a way of life. It is

in your mind. You think should I or in your mind. You think should I or

should I not? You must be fhrm in your mind. You think shotld I or

should I not? You must be firm about should I not? You must be fhrm about

it and do it regularly. If you do it and do it regularly. If xou do

not use it, you will lose it. Daphne Bernard was in her late 20s when

gymnasiums looked like this. Well the equipment may have changed, her

attitude to fit this has not. She says growing up during the war and

eating a healthy diet keeps fighting fit. My father was a sergeant in the

Army and he was a good example. I was always good at sports as well at

school. I do not know if it is perhaps in my blood. Staff at the

perhaps in my blood. Staff `t the gym full support her legs felt.

perhaps in my blood. Staff at the gym full support her legs fdlt. I

cannot believe it, it is so inspiring. She is a fine example of

someone who is stress`free without any worries and powers throtgh. I

have a 20 minute walk home, a cool down as they say, I slow down but I

do not stop. It's only a week or so to go until

Christmas and everywhere the lights are going up, the trees are being

decorated and people are st`rting to get into the festive spirit. For

high street traders it's one of the most important times of year, but

there is one part of Kent where they're not yet feeling the sparkle.

Piers Hopkirk has been investigating. You're in Tunbridge

Wells at the moment, and the investigating. You're in Tunbridge

Wells at the moment, and thd lights Wells at the moment, and the lights

are shining brightly there. The lights have not arrived from China,

lights have not arrived frol China, is that correct? Well, when you

think about Christmas lights you think about proper illumination to

light up the high street but in Whitstable that is far from the case

with the Christmas lights h`ving gone missing.

Across the South East, streets are bathed in the elimination of

Christmas lights, from the traditional ones to the stream.

Christmas lights, from the traditional ones to the strdam. At

this spot in Eastbourne it is not this spot in Eastbourne it hs not

always from floor to ceiling. It is really nice and we often come here.

really nice and we often cole here. Christmas is very special.

Everywhere appears to be whhpped up Everywhere appears to be whipped up

for Christmas. Everywhere apart from Whitstable. The Christmas lhghts

this year are not so much low wattage as no wattage. There is

wattage as no wattage. Therd is still the Christmas feel and a lot

of the local shops have tried to put of the local shops have tried to put

up decorations. It would have been better had the lights been tp and I

better had the lights been up and I am disappointed being a loc`l.

better had the lights been tp and I am disappointed being a local. The

children are wondering wherd the whites have gone. You cannot tell

them that no one has paid for them or they are stuck on a boat. The

Chamber of Commerce bought them in this year from China, the problem is

they have been put on the slow boat and instead of lighting up the town,

we are sitting on the dock 's. It would have been perfect if we could

have had the lights here in time for every December. We would have been

able to do it relaxed and get the able to do it relaxed and get the

lights up and people would have said that is brilliant. Now we are in a

situation where people are `sking situation where people are `sking

where the lights have gone and why where the lights have gone `nd why

the order them from China. It is where the lights have gone and why

the order them from China. Ht is a bit frustrating. Late arriving

bit frustrating. Late arrivhng parcels are everyone's worst

nightmare at Christmas. At least Whitstable has a festive story to

trawl the lot. I spoke to Brighton earlier and she tells me th`t the

earlier and she tells me that the lights have travelled as far as

Felixstowe Custom's House and the whole they will be delivered and top

by the end of the weekend. Former model Heather Mills, who

lives in Hove, says she's ddvastated lives in Hove, says she's devastated

to have to abandon her bid to reach the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralxmpics.

The 45`year`old, who had her left leg amputated below the knee

The 45`year`old, who had her left leg amputated below the kned after

The 45`year`old, who had her left leg amputated below the knee after a

collision with a police motorbike in 1993, has had problems with friction

from her prosthetic limb. She joined the British development ski team in

2010 and won a World Cup silver medal earlier this year.

Now back to our top story tonight: An inquiry into future airport

expansion is continuing to examine expansion is continuing to dxamine

plans for a massive new four`runway airport on the Isle of Grain in

North Kent. The Davies Commission's interim report has short`listed

three other proposals: One for a second runway at Gatwick, and two to

expand Heathrow. David Lewes has commented on

Facebook saying that everyone knows it has got to go to Heathrow or

Gatwick and that we should get on with it and that all this mocking

around is making us a laughing around is making us a laughing

stock. Julie says why does ht take stock. Julie says why does it take

so long for any decision to be made. Let us build a new runway at

Gatwick. Andy Clarke says a second runway at Gatwick would have

Gatwick. Andy Clarke says a second runway at Gatwick would havd to

shoehorn everything in betwden Crawley and Holly and mean lany

historical buildings would have to be removed. Christian lives close to

Gatwick and rarely hears any planes Gatwick and rarely hears anx planes

at all and says they need the second hub airport. Ian says hub ahrports

at the likes of Boris Island should be marked as non`starters. Simon

wants a bigger airport at M`nston, wants a bigger airport at Manston,

bigger than the one that is already there.

Thank you for all your commdnts Time for the weather.

Earlier lots of cloud cover around but also heavy rain. Slightly cooler

here and temperatures staying at single figures with highs of seven

or eight degrees. It has not felt particularly pleasant. Tonight we

will continue to see outbreaks of will continue to see outbreaks of

them during the first part of the evening but it will remain lild The

evening but it will remain mild. The winds will move South westerly and

picked up that rain turning heavy for the early part of this dvening.

It will be drier for the early hours of tomorrow morning with the

temperatures hardly changing from the daytime values at around four or

five Celsius. It is mild as we start tomorrow, just look at thosd

isobars. It will turn when they and wet. During daylight hours mostly it

will stay dry with outbreaks of rain. " And brightness presdnt with

top temperatures similar to the `` to today at around nine or 10

to today at around nine or 00 Celsius. Gusty winds will be

to today at around nine or 10 Celsius. Gusty winds will bd strong.

Celsius. Gusty winds will be strong. The brain will pick up tomorrow

night turning heavy for a thme. It clears pretty quickly with those

strong winds. It will be dry by clears pretty quickly with those

strong winds. It will be dry by the time we get to dawn. As we head into

Thursday, we hold onto thosd very Thursday, we hold onto those very

strong winds. The rain will clear but he could see gusts up to 60 mph

with any average wind speeds of 25 mph. Temperatures around seven or

eight Celsius. Mostly dry on Friday but another storm coming our way.

Join us again at 10:30pm. Goodbye.