John Beckett (May 17) rightly asks Southend Council leader Nigel Holdcroft to tell us why we need night flights at Southend Airport to the extent currently being considered, which, as I understand it, will be throughout the night, except for a three-hour break.
Apart from the recent study by Warwick University suggesting less than five hours sleep could lead to “fatal cardiovascular disease” is there a more basic “human right” than a good night’s sleep?
I believe it would be a dereliction of their duty of care to the local population if councillors vote for such a proposal.
The new Conservative/ Liberal Government says it will be the most “green” ever and it appears to be proving that by cancelling the additional runways at Heathrow and Gatwick.
It is, therefore, ironic the Southend Airport expansion was largely pushed through by Southend’s Conservative and Liberal councillors.
Perhaps any local people who feel sufficiently strongly on the subject might, as I have, write to the new environment minister, Caroline Spelman, for her views on inflicting such a short period of night-time peace on us.
S Askham
Elmsleigh Drive
Leigh
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