The residents of Prince Avenue, Westcliff, and surrounding areas were very distressed to receive a letter from Southend Airport advising them of the imminent cull of trees along the A127.

These beautiful trees have been here for more than 100 years and have been a delight to see, as well as an asset to reducing pollution on this busy road.

Southend Council, which owns the trees and land, has, in Judas fashion, handed responsibility to the airport, which is apparently hiding behind Civil Aviation Authority regulations and going ahead with the cull in the coming days.

Most of the trees in question appear to be nowhere near the flight path, and even those that are could be trimmed. But it is more financially beneficial in this profit-driven climate to chop them down.

The airport will bring noise, pollution and a load of yobs intent on a drunken trip to Spain.

The town is already a disgrace, with the empty and boarded-up office blocks in Victoria Avenue, and the concrete jungle at Victoria Circus.

To take away the beautiful free asset of these trees is a travesty.

I urge people to contact airport manager Alastair Welch, or their MP, to protest at this butchery as soon as possible.

The cull of these trees is due to start in a very few days time. It’s a bit of a David and Goliath struggle, but one has to try.

Sarah Jackson
Prince Avenue
Westcliff