Southend Pier has been allowed by the council to deteriorate to the condition almost of no return just like Brighton’s West Pier that sadly now has lost its will to live.

So many entrepreneurs have come forth with rescue packages and the dosh to re-invent what once was a magnificent tourist attraction. So many times have Southend councillors rejected every twist and turn of planning applications that you’d think they were in the pay of a local scrap merchant who was keen to have it in his yard for when metal prices from China increase as they will inevitably do!

We in these letters pages have more talent than you can throw a stick at! We have tank commanders, oil rig engineers, double glazing installers and teachers, kebab chefs, potpourri sellers and white van drivers, all with the expert knowledge to run a simple pier!

To cut the chase! My ideal of this grotty backwater is a magnificent pier privately run with a spectacular marina alongside, a free and easy dual carriageway around Priory Park and a magnificent Thames Estuary airport with rail and road infrastructures designed to improve this Thames corridor lot compared to its present state.

We just need a sorry bunch of councillors who have vision and imagination to inspire us.

Trevor Murdin
Flemming Crescent
Leigh