Southend Airport once planned to build a second railway station in Rochford for general commuter use, with a huge public pay and display car park on green belt land.

The revenue will not go to Rochford, but to the airport (cunningly called a parkway).

Rochford planning officers advised against the plan and it was withdrawn before it could be presented to the council planning committee.

Now the plan is being wrapped up as a park and ride scheme, as a solution to Southend's traffic problems.

How, building a large car park on a small, heavily overcrowded B road will achieve this, makes the mind boggle.

However, I notice the intention is to build this monstrosity in Rochford, not Southend.

I would point out to Southend Council and the regeneration company, Renaissance Southend, the old access car park just across the road from the airport has lain empty and unused for many years. Surely a ready made site already owned by Southend Council.

The only way this crafty plan can be approved would be if Rochford district councillors passed it.

They wouldn't do that, would they?

Against the wishes of the majority of Rochford residents?

We keep hearing about increased passenger levels, but this is only due to Ford flying staff to Cologne in Germany.

I have not noticed any extra destinations apart from the once weekly flight to Jersey, which has been running for many years.

More destinations is where the extra revenue should come from, not from a commuter pay and display car park.

J Downard
Anne Boleyn Drive
Rochford