At last Southend Council has reached a sane and realistic assessment of what is needed to establish a practical, viable future for our pier.

The last thing on earth to consider would be a repetition in, inevitably, a truncated state of the excellent Adventure Island facilities, marooned 1.33 miles out to sea and open to the climatic hardships of such a location.

It would be a costly and unsightly white elephant.

The best plans should be based on the pier's reason for existence - marine facilities, and provision of relaxation and entertainment with two level catering (as at the Cliffs Pavilion) added in to complete a family attraction away from the razzamatazz of the foreshore.

The pier may be a little derelict at this time, but still noteworthy numbers of citizens are willing to follow it to the head. There, on a fine day, one can experience a peace and quiet which the wealthy are willing to spend thousands on to enjoy on a sea cruise.

Upgrade the pier rolling stock away from the current boneshaking experience, using motorail rubber tyres might do the trick, and implement the council's plans and you have a winner.

Geoffrey Crawley
Pembury Road
Westcliff

...After reading about the pier plan (Jan 1), I thought it strange there was no mention about the trains nor any flag flying for the lifeboat souvenir shop.

The report told us nothing new - as Echo columnist Geoff Percival said in September "30 years after pierhead fire and they are still talking".

If the council hasn't got it right after 30 years it never will.

In November the council in its wisdom decided to halt the weekday trains during winter, despite the fact that the RNLI souvenir shop at the end of the pier brought money in fares and shop revenue.

R Burgess
Underwood Square
Leigh