The Government was today attacked for not ruling out a second runway at Gatwick airport.

Outlining his vision for air travel over the next 30 years, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling yesterday revealed that a legal agreement which bans development at the airport until 2019 will be honoured.

But he said land should be set aside for a new runway now in case environmental concerns cannot be overcome at Heathrow and plans for a third runway there are scrapped.

This would pave the way for another airport at Gatwick.

The news has been welcomed by business leaders across Sussex but Horsham MP Francis Maude criticised the decision.

Speaking at the House of Commons, he said: "I am disappointed they have not removed the blight and uncertainty from any of the existing London airports - in fact, the problem is being compounded.

"Although the decision not to overturn the 2019 agreement on Gatwick is welcome, how long will it be before the Heathrow issue is resolved?

"Our constituents in West Sussex need the land being safeguarded for the housing that is being imposed on West Sussex by the Deputy Prime Minister. How long will it be before the uncertainty can be resolved?"

However, Lewes MP Norman Baker welcomed the Government's decision not to overturn the 2019 legal agreement.

And Hove MP Ivor Caplin, who campaigned for a second runway to safeguard thousands of jobs and boost the Sussex economy, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is a hugely important and significant decision by the Government which safeguards the future of Gatwick. It is vital to jobs and offers the best environmental solution for the South- East."

The most dramatic option for two new runways at Gatwick was ruled out. But any new runway would lead to the destruction of hundreds of homes and acres of Green Belt land.

Some roads will have to be closed and the M23 widened.

Mr Darling said: "What I have done is strike a balance between the importance of aviation to the whole country, the concerns that airlines have in relation to the London and South-East airports with the undoubted environmental impact.

"What I want to do, though, is to set out a framework for development over 30 years because it is that sort of timescale people need to plan ahead, so the economy can continue to grow, that we take account of people's need and want to travel and at the same time make sure we minimise the environmental impact."