Yes, I sympathise and can rejoice with the Blues fans that are in heaven over the proposed new stadium for their team. Not that I share their joy, as I am not a footie aficionado.

However, everyone needs an interest to occupy his or her minds. I am a keen DIY fanatic, and quite interested in the nearby B&Q development already up and running and in the early building stages, and said to be the biggest of its kind in England.

This is a feather in our cap and akin to the longest pier in the Universe.

Fossetts Farm is east of Priory Park. This is the rub I am afraid. Access. It is not too good.

We at present have a two-track carriageway in and out of the eastern bloc section of the borough, and I fear it is not adequate to support the volume of traffic that on a Saturday will stream into the facilities newly provided on land once considered prime green belt and to be left unadulterated.

It would seem some obscure Government fi-nance committee has temporarily shelved the expected dualling of the carriageway around the northern perimeter of Priory Park.

Teddy Taylor, our resolute former MP, supported an outer road for the east of Southend. He realised the problem. There are two exits to civilisation east of Priory Park - the seafront or the entrails of the A127. I agree, not good enough!

We need an outer road that skirts the Rochford boundary and soars through the countryside to adjoin the major roads of this county.

We have to accept change and carry on.

Trevor Murdin
Flemming Crescent
Leigh

...The report on the approval of plans for Southend United's stadium noted no objectors appeared in person during the vote.

This was no indication of a lack of feeling against this harebrained scheme, but a reflection of the concern I felt the meeting was being hijacked by the rowdy football element.

It would have taken a brave individual to speak against the proposals with hundreds of scarf and flag waving soccer types bearing down on them.

Jeff Bagwell
Glenwood Avenue
Southend

...Well, good news for Southend supporters re-garding the proposed stadium. I hope with this news the team will win a few matches as a boost to their morale.

However, I cannot see if the present venue of 12,000 seats is not filled to capacity, how will they manage to fill one with 22,000 seats?

The car parking is going to be a problem - 454 spaces only. What will happen if they do not remain in the present division? Have all these factors been taken into account?

Bob Johnson
Central Avenue
Hadleigh

...I have been critical previously of the Echo's coverage of the off-field affairs of Southend United, in particular of ex-players and managers when there was the possibility we might lose manager Steve Tilson.

However, I am writing to congratulate the Echo on its coverage of the meetings at Southend and Rochford councils. Your reporter accurately conveyed the mood as well as the views of all parties. Well done.

Steve Nead
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Rayleigh