The go-ahead for even more aircraft to use the overcrowded skies above Brentwood and Ongar has been condemned by local MP Eric Pickles.

His attack comes after a series of near-misses have heightened safety fears.

The decision by Transport Minister Glenda Jackson to allow 65,000 more air movements a year in Britain is expected to see a huge increase in planes using the infamous Clacton Corridor which takes traffic from the Essex coast inland before it peels off to the various London airports.

Mr Pickles said: "We already have the most congested skies in the country and the Government needs to address the problems of air capacity in the south-east. Until it does, my constituents will bear the brunt."

He said he was concerned about proposals to reduce the gap between landing aircraft and feared that Stansted would be allowed to grow "by stealth."

The Clacton Corridor has been described as the aviation equivalent of the M25 and was used by one third of the 1.7 million planes that used British airspace last year. It leads to various stacks, at 7,000ft to 17,000ft high, in which up to 10 aircraft at a time can circle.

The way in which Ms Jackson introduced the proposals was also criticised by MPs. The Minister avoided a Commons debate by using a Statutory Instrument which entailed informing only a small committee.

She announced that movements at Stansted would rise by 50 per cent from 120,000 a year to 185,000 which would be funnelled through the Clacton Corridor.

Tory MP Bowen Wells, whose constituency includes Stansted, said: "it was a disgraceful use of the Statutory Instrument. There has been no proper debate or consultation."

The increase at Stansted comes in the face of growing pressure on other airports in the south-east and predictions of increased congestion this summer leading to long delays.

One day in June Heathrow saw a record 98 take-offs and landings in just one hour and this figure is expected to be broken in the coming months.

Air safety officials are investigating four near-miss incidents over the Brentwood area this year.

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