Object

London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Preferred Options

Representation ID: 6186

Received: 31/03/2009

Respondent: South East Essex Friends of the Earth

Representation Summary:

The airport railway station is a classic example of "greenwash" - suggesting that using the train to get to and from the airport will make it more environmentally friendly is pure nonsense. The marginal savings made by using rail instead of a car are dwarfed by the aircraft emissions. An extra stop will also be a disbenefit to rail users not wishing to use the airport as it will increase journey times. Rochford station is sufficiently close that a minibus service between the station and the airport would be a better solution.

Full text:

The airport railway station is a classic example of "greenwash" - suggesting that using the train to get to and from the airport will make it more environmentally friendly is pure nonsense. The marginal savings made by using rail instead of a car are dwarfed by the aircraft emissions. An extra stop will also be a disbenefit to rail users not wishing to use the airport as it will increase journey times. Rochford station is sufficiently close that a minibus service between the station and the airport would be a better solution.