Amess criticises Southend Council over airport expansion
In a speech before the Whitsun recess in Parliament today, Southend West Conservative MP David Amess outlined to the House of Commons his reservations over the expansion of Southend Airport.
Mr Amess explained that he had received a large volume of complaints from constituents opposed to the expansion plans:
“In all my time here, I have never had as many individual, handwritten letters from constituents as I have on that issue.
“I am talking about individual, handwritten letters, not just e-mails.
“It is obvious that residents of Southend, West are very exercised by the airport issue.”
Mr Amess went on to explain his personal objections to the expansion project.
”When I first went to it, I wondered how on earth an airport could be in the middle of such a heavily built up urban area with such narrow roads leading to it.
”Never mind house building programmes, the Government have issued papers about the expansion and importance of regional airports, and that is how the whole process started.
“I think that I speak for all my constituents in saying that everyone wishes Southend airport well because of the jobs that it provides for local communities.
”However, when some years ago the then owner suggested that the airport should expand, there was meltdown.
“The then manager suggested that the beautiful 1,000-year-old church of St. Laurence be put on wheels and moved so many yards to allow the runway to expand and roads to be closed.
“English Heritage had something to say about that barking mad proposal, which caused huge upset in the constituency.
“My hon. Friend James Duddridge and I work closely together on Southend issues, but there is a huge divide about the airport issue.
”The reality is that the airport expansion will not affect Rochford and Southend, East. Any expansion of the facilities, particularly the runway, will impact only on Southend, West, and the aircraft will take off entirely over the area that I represent.”
Mr Amess continued to criticise the method Southend Borough Council used to consult residents on the expansion project:
“The local authority has been under huge pressure. It has done the best that it can to consult and engage with the general public on this issue.
“However, I represent the highest number of centenarians in the country, and expecting senior citizens to e-mail replies and use that sort of technology is a complete non-starter.
“Having gone through the consultation document, I think that it raises more questions than it answers.
“We have not been given anywhere near enough detail about developments such as the new railway station, which will apparently bring people to the airport so that we do not have to worry about road expansions and closures.
“The proposal that the increased flights should take place from as early as 6.30am until 11 o’clock at night is absolutely ludicrous.
“Unless I am missing the point, that means that my constituents will have complete freedom from any noise, pollution and all the rest of it only when they are asleep. That is complete madness.”
Mr Amess is in my opinion short sited and is listening to the minority who make the most noise. A longer runway will mean improved safety and less noise as reduced thrust during takeoff will be required and more modern efficient aircraft can use it.
With an extended runway, the council can impose stricter night noise quotas with the planning consent.
The airport has been idle for long enough and would be a fantastic asset to the town.
It clearly has potential or a company like Stobart would not purchase it.
Expansion would also encourage regeneration through investment.
I hope Mr Amess doe’s not bow to the minority in order to win votes.
I agree with this. It is always the anti vote that is most vociferous and politicians invariably exhibit a “knee-jerk” reaction to it.
Davis Amess thinks it will buy him votes by listening to a vocal minority. I think it will buy him the opposite as the recession bites and people recognise the benefit of the much needed steady jobs that the airport can bring.
He should have the guts to support the plans and local businesses, otherwise I think political oblivion could be coming his way next year!
The issues the antis have raised are largely fallacious, and most have already been dealt with in the JAAP consultation. You would think that 90% of the antis had not even read the proposals from their responses.