I am pleased to read (May 10) Tory leader Nigel Holdcroft has said councillors will listen to residents’ concerns on Southend Airport expansion.

I ask Mr Holdcroft to tell us in the Leigh and Belfairs areas, who are the residents most affected by the expansion, why we have to have night flights in the future.

We realise there are a few flights, like post and emergencies that are necessary, but not regular passenger or freight flights.

I know Gatwick, Heathrow and, I believe, Stansted airports are closed at night, as well as those at Southampton and Bournemouth.

Therefore, I ask Mr Holdcroft to tell residents the true position of the expansion in the future.

Unless Southend Council has already done a deal with Stobart on night flights before the planning committee approved the runway expansion, I cannot see why we have to have regular night flights .

John Beckett
Woodcutters Avenue
Leigh