COULD the £16billion Crossrail scheme be extended to Southend?

Glyn Jones, Southend Airport chief executive, hopes so.

He spoke out earlier this month to push for more action from the Government to improve railway links to regional airports like Southend.

Crossrail trains have already been tested on the Liverpool Street to Southend line, and were spotted at Southend Victoria and Southend Airport rail stations.

Crossrail – or the Elizabeth Line – is due to fully open in December 2019, linking Reading and Heathrow in the west through Central London tunnels across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Councillors and traders in Southend feel that the possibility of a Crossrail link between London and Southend Airport could boost the seaside town’s economy and popularity.

While the plans are still to be discussed, the prospect of building greater links between the borough and the capital have excited Southend residents and councillors.

Southend Tory councillor Ann Holland, who is responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said: “I certainly support this proposal.

“The Crossrail link will enable more people to get into Southend easier. Not only for tourists but for people from other parts of the country to come visit Southend more conveniently.

“Businesses can come here to our airport as they have won so many awards, and they are definitely a growing regional airport.

“There is a possibility that it would work against the borough’s economy if it happens to draw more people to London and taking away business for local traders.

“But I think there are more positives in this idea. We do want more people to visit and experience our seaside and hopefully drive our economy.

“We have hotels where people could stay and visit other nearby areas and come back and stay with us.

“There’s already enough congestion in the highway so if we have an improved transport system in place it could encourage more people to use the trains.”

Southend Airport has become one of the major highlights of the borough since it was named Best Airport in the UK at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Awards in 2015 and 2016.

The airport has continuously grown in its customer numbers and it has recently opened a VIP jet centre to attract celebrities and high profile individuals.

Businesses have also welcomed the prospect of a crossrail extension from Reading to Southend.

The Echo last reported estate agents see this as a great opportunity to boost the borough’s housing market and profile.

Paul Thompson, chairman for the Southend Seafront Traders’ Association, said he had no objections to Mr Jones’s suggestion.

He said: “I think this would be great for the airport, and it would be fantastic to have a faster service for people to go to the airport.

“If you have improved public transport it would be an incentive for people to come to the airport.

“Having a strong public transport system means we have good infrastructure.

Having good infrastructure gives a very good impression to visitors because that’s how they will judge you.

“To be honest there is a possibility that this will draw more Southend residents to London and it would be against our favour. But I see more benefits than disadvantages. This can bring more business to the airport, and this could appeal to businesses and encourage them to come to us.

“At the moment parking and congestion are outstanding issues in the borough.

“If we have faster and more convenient transport it would be an incentive for people to use public transport more.”

John Lamb, Tory leader of Southend Council, said the Crossrail links would help ease congestion.

He said: “Crossrail can make it easier for people travelling from Heathrow and to use Southend Airport to get to more local destinations.

“I proposed that we should have a limited express service.

“The train can stop in major stops like Wickford, Shenfield, Romford and Stratford.

“The better the train service, the more people will use it.”