PEOPLE living, working and studying in Uttlesford, East Herts, Harlow and the surrounding region have been having their say on London Stansted’s long-term plan for sustainable growth.

More than 2,800 people have responded to a consultation into its plan to accommodate up to 51 million passengers by the 2040s. Initial results show almost 2,000 back this plan.

Over the last five weeks, the airport has been engaging with local residents, businesses, passengers, students and councillors.

Social media adverts have been seen more than 750,000 times, detailed survey work has been carried out and dedicated workshops have been held.

The consultation explained the plans to get ready for passenger growth over the next 20 years, which include:

Improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion
Funds for local bus services, roads and measures to tackle fly-parking
Working with train operators to improve the Stansted Express
Airport infrastructure powered by 100% renewable energy
Working with partners to nearly double the size of Stansted Airport College, to train more young people
Ensuring half of all passenger journeys are by public transport, to relieve pressure on local roads
As part of this plan, the airport intends to submit a planning application within the next few months to increase the annual passenger limit up to 51 million passengers. This will be without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate and within the existing airport boundary.

The airport team will now carefully review and consider all the responses to the consultation before finalising its sustainable development plan and planning application.

The full results will be published when the application is formally submitted.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“I want to thank everything for taking the time to contribute and it’s great to see so many people willing to lend their support to our plan. It’s important that we get this right because we take our responsibilities as integral part of the local community, and commitment to sustainable growth, very seriously.

“We’ll reflect on what people have said, so we can have the best version of a plan that will create more jobs, more training opportunities and more choice when flying from their local airport.”