I am responding to your letter concerning the above modifications to the planning of the Southend Airport, with this in mind I would like to acquaint you with my observations, although I did respond to the initial consultation document a few years ago saying that in my opinion as the developers wish to build a rail station at the airport, there would be a need for a bus interchange to be located on the Southend Road side of the new property. This will then provide an integrated transport system.

This in turn would reduce the private vehicle movements accessing the rail station in the area of Southend Road and Warner's Bridge. As I believed that having a rail station located at the airport, the rail station will in time attract passengers from the local and wider community, and this is clearly evident with other airports, like Stansted.

I now possibly understand why this suggestion was not acted upon; however with further expansion of the airport in and around the airport perimeters now or in the future, together with if I understand correctly, proposals for further residential development within the Rochford and Southend area, including the proposed development before Southend Borough Council at the Prittlebrook Estate. Together with a possible new business park in Rochford, the rail station will undoubtedly attract people who not only will be living in the new properties and commuting to London, but could also attract the people who will be employed at the new business parks, who will be commuting to and from the station located at the airport to their place of work.

There has been an increase in traffic congestion in the area of the Southend Road and Warner's Bridge and the roads leading from Warner's Bridge and this will only escalate in future years.

I would like to propose that as part of the decision making process with regard to this consultation, that provision should be made for a bus interchange to be located outside the entrance to the rail station to accommodate the bus services (no. 7 8 and 9) which at present operate within the immediate area of the airport boundary.

The street lighting in the road leading from the main road to the rail station does need to be improved together with the accessibility for the pedestrian to cross the main road outside the airport.

As an inducement for the bus operator to reroute the bus services into the airport rail station there should be a financial contribution (section 106) placed upon the developers now and in the future.

If this is achieved we will then have an integrated transport system which will benefit the residents of Rochford and Southend for generations to come.

Can you please keep me informed of your decision with regard to the above consultation and any future developments in connection with the above location?