BISHOP'S Stortford looks set to become even more "urbanised" and lose its small market town feel if plans for a second runway at Stansted Airport go ahead, according to a county councillor.
Last week the Herald revealed the latest plans by BAA to create a second runway and terminal.
Cllr Bernard Engel said: "Industries which have nothing to do with the airport but want to be located near to it for the sake of convenience, will be a problem for the town.
"This means we will become more and more urbanised in the surrounding area and the preservation of Bishop's Stortford in its present form as a 'small market town' is unlikely."
Cllr Engel, who sits on the county council's highways and transport panel, said congestion will get worse due to insufficient infrastructure.
He said the necessary road and rail links to cope with the increasing passengers is "only just now being thought about" and will take anything from five to 15 years.
Cllr Engel said the development would also be an "added strain" on the railway where airport related usage will be in competition with existing commuter traffic.
He said: "Our roads will be more congested and it will be that much more difficult to oppose additional residential accommodation being built as labour demand will be that much greater."
"Noise and air quality are obvious worries but, to be honest, the next generation of aircraft that will be flying in 10 years time are likely to be quieter and cleaner than those flying now so this may be a diminishing problem."
A spokesman for Stansted Airport said a public consultation will start later this month into the infrastructure needed to support the new runway.
She said: "Over the coming months an environmental impact assessment, economic impact report, health impact assessment and a sustainability appraisal will be completed to support the application we will be making in the summer."
Source: Harlow Herald
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