It is a shame letter writers to the Echo and members of action groups remain vigorously opposed to Southend Airport’s expansion.

I live within the proximity of the flight path and am often affected by aircraft noise.

Those opposed to plans of the airport should seriously question what will happen if the runway extension does not to ahead. There must be a Plan B.

Stobarts took over this airport as a business venture and it intends to make it a commercial success.

I believe that without the extension Stobarts will expect the current licence to be maintained, which will enable it to dump the proposed night flight restrictions and accommodate as many freight flights as it can.

There are a number of freight companies that continue to operate old, noisy jet and prop jet aircraft.

Some years prior to the more recent demise of the daily Ford jet flights to Germany, the same company operated a chartered Lockheed Hercules C130 to fly parts from Spain to the UK. Nobody wants those operating in the night.

A fully-loaded Hercules can use a short grass field to operate from, so the existing facilities at Southend would be more than adequate.

I believe there is also the prospect of a number of smaller airlines which now use modern, efficient prop jet aircraft, similar to the Irish airline which intends to start operating in 2011, will see Southend as a viable alternative to other airports in the region, especially with the completion of the railway station, upgraded control tower and the proposed airport hotel.

I am sure that with the right marketing strategy these operators will be more than happy to consider transferring their operations to Southend Airport especially in the current economic climate.

Experience shows that when expansion goes ahead, it is followed by a period of local prosperity. I lived here throughout the Fifties and Sixties and watched local businesses and house prices thrive when Southend Airport was the third busiest airport in the country.

Protesters think on. It could be a case of: Oh dear, what have we done?

John Cole
Leighwood Avenue
Leigh