A SECOND runway at Gatwick could spark other Sussex transport projects into life – but a decision on expansion has been delayed until Christmas.

The Airports Commission was expected to decide this month whether Gatwick or Heathrow should be given the green-light for expansion.

If Gatwick is chosen, airport bosses say the local economy would be given a £1.73 billion a year boost.

But new reports today suggest the government will delay its formal response to the commission’s findings until the end of the year.

The Department for Transport said the commission’s report would need “careful consideration” before the next steps were taken and would not put a date on publication.

Supporters argue under-pressure road and rail networks in Sussex will benefit from a second runway at Gatwick.

Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes and an advocate of A27 and rail improvements, told The Argus: “If Gatwick was chosen it would certainly add to our case.

“I’m hoping the government’s £350 million plan for the A27 will happen quite quickly anyway, but most certainly a second runway gives more weight to our argument that it and other transport projects need to start soon.”

Nik Askaroff, a former transport adviser at East Sussex County Council, said a second runway at Gatwick was a “no-brainer”.

He said: “I strongly support a second runway but we need the infrastructure elsewhere too. You can’t have one without the other.

“The runway, rail improvements and road works would all have to work together.”

But opposition campaigners say a new runway would cause misery for the transport network.

Brendon Sewill, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, said: “In terms of Brighton a second runway will mean 90,000 people per day more on the trains, which will lead to intolerable congestion on the already-packed Brighton Main Line.

“There would also be 100,000 more cars on the roads in the Gatwick area, leading to a thoroughly more unpleasant life for many.

“People talk about £350 million for A27 work, but what about the rest of it? You’ll need to widen the M25 and the M23.

“Every other local road for ten miles around Gatwick will also be jammed. Who is going to pay for that?

“Where are you going to get the money from?”

Gatwick bosses remain positive however that the airport will be given the go-ahead.

A spokesman said yesterday: “We are confident the commission and the government will choose Gatwick as – when everything is taken together – we have the strongest case.

“Our expansion plans offer the only deliverable option so whenever a decision happens we are ready to get on with it immediately.”