Following on from my email on 25.06.08 I would just like to reiterate my comments on the proposed expansion of the above mentioned airport.

I strongly oppose any expansion of southend airport on the grounds of environmental damage and the health risks to local residents.

I find it strange that at a time when the government is making bold statements about cutting Co2 emissions that it would sanction the expansion of any airport let alone Southend due to its sensitive location to wildlife, conservation and green belt areas.

We are constantly being askied to do our bit for the environment, indeed this month sees the introduction of Rochford Councils new refuse recycling programme, whereby residents will be expected to filter their rubbish into three different bins. I haven't got a problem with this because I want to do all I can to help the environment, I just feel there are double standards going on.

Increasing air traffic into and out of Southend will be a disaster for both the environment and the well being of everybody living in the area due to noise, pollution and more depletion of the ozone.

On a personal level I have already been affected by the thinning of the ozone as my partner has been diagnosed with skin cancer. As you can imagine we are currently going through a traumatic and anxious time, but what is also worrying is that my girlfriend has brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin as she is of Italian extraction. Further more she doesn't sunbathe and we rarely go abroad. If someone with her skin type is contracting skin cancer in this country what chance do the rest of us stand!

Please, let us safe guard the health of our community and the environment they live in and not go ahead with this expansion.

Kind regards