I trust the east side of Southend is now aware of the problems caused by the airport.
I was a visitor in a house in Southchurch when a very deep noise became evident.
We went outside, but could see no reason for it.
It affected our conversation and it went on for approximately 30 minutes.
It appeared to come from the airport area. We phoned the airport and was told it was a Boeing 727-200 being tested at full throttle on the eastern boundary by Warners Bridge, all within the accepted procedure guidelines.
I understand complaints were also made to the airport from various addresses in the Thorpe Bay area.
I trust this will alert the residents to the east of the town that it is not just Leigh which will be affected by the bigger planes using the airport allowed because of the extended runway.
Ask your local councillors who agreed to this for the true facts on the matter.
Our environment is affected and this means our whole town.
John Halls
Westborough Road
Westcliff
…The non-elected quango Renaissance Southend is (Feb 2) reported as urging Government minister John Denham to approve the airport expansion plan without delay.
Can’t they let the ink dry on the application to the minister and allow the democratic process to take place, however long it needs, to ensure such a potentially environmental damaging decision is given fair consideration?
I have seen no convincing evidence that Southend Council did so.
If there is to be this political lobbying by non-elected focus groups, then perhaps those local residents who have strong feelings, either way, should also write to Mr Denham to ensure a wider representation of views and, in particular, ask for convincing evidence to be shown to him of the speculative 7,000 jobs which are being used as the prime reason for irretrievably ruining the local environment.
As a 77-year-old it will not affect me for very long, but we do owe an obligation to our children to say that we did, at least, try to protect their health.
S Askham
Elmsleigh Drive
Leigh