Southend Airport

Southend Airport

A number of constituents have contacted me with their views about the expansion of London Southend Airport, and have asked for my own views on the expansion.

As such I wanted to outline here briefly how I feel the expansion will be a great benefit to our local area:

- First and foremost, I would like to state that I broadly support the proposals to expand London Southend Airport.

- My primary reason for supporting the airport expansion is that I believe it will bring a much needed boost to the economy, in both Rochford and Southend; attracting much needed investment in business and tourism.

- I believe that the plans will boost employment, not only at the airport, but also within South Essex, and more specifically within the expanded business park.

- My main concern about the expansion of the local Business Park was that the expansion on its own may not attract significant investment without the council offering incentives for companies to invest, and I highlighted this in my response to the Joint Area Action Plan.

- I fully understand people’s concerns that expansion will cause more noise and disturbance. It is suggested that one of the positive developments of the runway expansion is that it will allow for newer, quieter and more fuel efficient aircraft to use the airport.

- I was also pleased to note the airports plans to invest in local leisure and sports facilities surrounding the airport, as well as the plans for public open spaces and the link provided to Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park.

- I believe that the numbers of night flights to the airport of freight aircraft should be limited. I also support limits on the types of passenger aeroplanes which can use the airport.

- I believe that this should be a matter for local Councils, and that the Secretary of State should not involve himself in such matters.

- I also hope that he will make a swift decision about whether a public enquiry will be held, as delays risk developments to the airport being stalled and not being completed in time for the 2012 Olympics which would be a great loss for our local area.