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Ports and Airports - Coggle Diagram
Ports and Airports
Why has a new port been created in London?
The London Gateway on the Thames Estuary opened in 2013 and is the first port in London to open since the old docks closed in the 1970s. There are plans for it to expand
Unlike the docks, which were too small for large container ships, London Gateway can accommodate the largest container ships in the world - up to 400m long and carrying up to 18,000 containers
Once it is complete, the new port will employ 2,000 people
It will bring the largest ships closer to London, the biggest market for consumer goods in the UK
It will reduce the distance lorries need to travel and help to cut carbon emissions
Should Heathrow expand or not?
Heathrow is already by far the largest airport in the UK
By 2030 it could expand even further. A new runway would be built at an estimated cost of £18.6 billion
Heathrow currently operates at almost full capacity with 480,000 flights a year. It would be impossible to increase the number of flights on its two existing runaways
Some people thought that Manchester Airport should be expanded to boost the economy in northern England and help reduce the north-south divide
However Heathrow supporters pointed out that, unless Heathrow expands, London would be in danger of losing its position as a leading world city
Distribution of ports and airports in the UK
The location of ports and airports in the UK are very different because they serve different purposes
Ports
Found at coastal and estuary locations all around the UK
Mainly used for the import/export of bulky raw materials as well as manufactured goods, usually in large metal containers which are transported by road/rail around the UK
Some ports are also used for passengers travelling on ferries or cruise ships
Airports
Located close to major cities especially London
Mainly used by passengers traveling on international flights
The largest airport in the UK is London Heathrow which also serves as a hub airport, used by passengers in transit from one country to another rather than staying in the UK
Airports are also used for the transport of less bulky high-value goods
For the expansion of Heathrow airport
It will help London to compete with rivals like New York and Paris
The airport employs 76,000 people and supports a similar number of jobs in London
Expansion would boost the UK economy by over £200 billion
Against the expansion of Heathrow airport
It is already the largest emitter of CO2 in the UK. This will increase when the airport expands
Noise pollution will get worse for 1 million people who live below the flight path
One village will be demolished and two others will be threatened