We read with interest a letter from Mr Free regarding the impact on St Laurence Church of proposals for Southend Airport (June 5).

While Mr Free is entitled to his opinions, we regret this is misleading.

The airport and church have been working together for some time to ensure that, should the runway be extended, neither the church building nor the graveyard would be touched. This is unambiguous and represents our joint position.

Within the current plans, the airport management has consistently maintained both to the church officers and publicly neither the church building nor the graveyard are under threat.

Rev Nigel Ransom
St Laurence Church

Alastair Welch
London Southend Airport

...By listing each model in Easyjet’s fleet and asking which I consider to be a quiet plane, David Vaughan appears to have confirmed my belief some people opposed to the airport’s plans mislead readers on this important issue.

His original submission queried how Rochford councillors imagined any airline would actually be purchasing “new, quieter jets” in the present economic climate.

However, being aware of Easyjet’s fleet it seems he must already have known they were already in service.

Having stood at the end of the runway and watched Airbus jets depart from Southend, I never cease to be amazed at the lack of noise, the technology being so advanced.

As for the Boeing 737s, they have been coming to Southend for maintenance and onward sale.

Finally, I have never claimed any aeroplane is silent, but then neither is a milk float, the whine of which probably upsets someone, somewhere!

Terry Davies
Steyning Avenue
Southend