There can be no doubting the importance of Gatwick to the economy of Sussex.

It is the world's biggest airport with a single runway and is by far the biggest employer in the county.

However, there is a price to be paid for the prosperity Gatwick creates. It has taken 7.7sqkm of land, created traffic congestion, and caused all sorts of noise and pollution.

The rapid expansion of air transport led the Government last year to launch a review of airports in the South-East.

It was a major surprise when Gatwick was not included and this was successfully challenged.

Now Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has announced three options which would double or even treble the existing capacity.

Even one new runway would lead to the demolition of 430 homes and the loss of green-belt land.

Gatwick has got to play a part in the expansion of air travel but there is a limit to what the area can take.

Mr Darling should rule out right away two new runways, which would lead to the loss of 2,000 acres of land and cause unacceptable environmental damage.

But he will have to look seriously at the case for a second single runway. There is a limit to how much more traffic Gatwick can take and the danger is that without improvements it could stagnate.