London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Preferred Options

Joint Area Action Plan for Southend Airport

Members of the Essex Business Consortium (EBC) have reviewed the options outlined in the above proposal and wish to demonstrate their support for the preferred option through the EBC.

The EBC was established in October 2003 to bring together key business leaders and the Chairs of the main business associations to form a broadly based consortium. The aim was to provide effective business leadership to advise and work in partnership with local government and Government Agencies on strategic economic development issues.

The EBC has, since its inception, placed transport and the development of the existing commercial centres of economic growth, in particular the Sea and Airports, at the top of its agenda. The potential for Southend Airport to make its full economic contribution now seems possible based on the preferred option and will be highly significant in the Thames Gateway meeting its economic targets and in developing its important relationships with the London economy. The fact of new Airport ownership, with strong links to the transport industry, across a wide and relevant range of business interests should be a major incentive for local government to provide the best possible environment for growth and to encourage related business investment.

The location of the Airport provides the opportunity to develop clusters of businesses that are highly complementary to the rest of the Essex economy. This, together with the forward thinking educational investment taking place in South Essex for the transport industry, is therefore timely. They will combine to raise skill levels and help businesses survive and invest in preparation for better economic times.

Again timing is in the favour of this proposal regarding the 2012 Olympics, where the legacy for the Airport and its related businesses would be significant. The access of the Airport to the East of London provides unique opportunities with long-term benefits. Advantage must also be gained by improving public transport services to increase mobility and help to reverse current unemployment trends.

Finally, this proposal must be seen against the backcloth of uncertainty surrounding Stansted Airport, following the Governments decision on ownership. This decision does not help business confidence in Essex, with BAA having such an excellent and proven track record, developing the Airport as a major service and economic centre. This therefore places even more emphasis on the need for success at Southend Airport.

The EBC will, therefore, be encouraging the support of the preferred option in the Action Plan. This seems the best way of allowing the Airport to realise its full business potential and become an essential feature in the important economic landscape of Essex.

Joint Area Action Plan for Southend Airport

Members of the Essex Business Consortium (EBC) have reviewed the options outlined in the above proposal and wish to demonstrate their support for the preferred option through the EBC.

The EBC was established in October 2003 to bring together key business leaders and the Chairs of the main business associations to form a broadly based consortium. The aim was to provide effective business leadership to advise and work in partnership with local government and Government Agencies on strategic economic development issues.

The EBC has, since its inception, placed transport and the development of the existing commercial centres of economic growth, in particular the Sea and Airports, at the top of its agenda. The potential for Southend Airport to make its full economic contribution now seems possible based on the preferred option and will be highly significant in the Thames Gateway meeting its economic targets and in developing its important relationships with the London economy. The fact of new Airport ownership, with strong links to the transport industry, across a wide and relevant range of business interests should be a major incentive for local government to provide the best possible environment for growth and to encourage related business investment.

The location of the Airport provides the opportunity to develop clusters of businesses that are highly complementary to the rest of the Essex economy. This, together with the forward thinking educational investment taking place in South Essex for the transport industry, is therefore timely. They will combine to raise skill levels and help businesses survive and invest in preparation for better economic times.

Again timing is in the favour of this proposal regarding the 2012 Olympics, where the legacy for the Airport and its related businesses would be significant. The access of the Airport to the East of London provides unique opportunities with long-term benefits. Advantage must also be gained by improving public transport services to increase mobility and help to reverse current unemployment trends.

Finally, this proposal must be seen against the backcloth of uncertainty surrounding Stansted Airport, following the Governments decision on ownership. This decision does not help business confidence in Essex, with BAA having such an excellent and proven track record, developing the Airport as a major service and economic centre. This therefore places even more emphasis on the need for success at Southend Airport.

The EBC will, therefore, be encouraging the support of the preferred option in the Action Plan. This seems the best way of allowing the Airport to realise its full business potential and become an essential feature in the important economic landscape of Essex.