Letters from the following areas were also received: Scotland, France, Australia and USA.

I would like to express my concern about the latest plans to dual Priory Crescent in Southend. This new road will severely impact Priory Park, one of the few green and tranquil spaces left in the town.

Since 1917, when Robert Jones donated the park by deed of covenant to the people of Southend stating 'the ancient Priory of Prittlewell must be perpetually used as a public park', many thousands of people have enjoyed the popular lake, gardens and associated wildlife.

The building of this road would require the destruction of ancient trees. Trees which are used for nesting by many of the local birds such as tawny owls, kestrels and rooks, not to mention squirrels and other wildlife.

Additionally, the aim to reduce congestion in the short term will greatly encourage private car use, causing further bottlenecks, increasing congestion elsewhere, and setting a precedent for spoiling sensitive areas for future developments.

In 1974, when Southend council put forward plans to expand Priory Crescent it was said that main roads should go around the town and not through it, and that the building of a road would increase traffic levels making it impossible for people to cross the road into the park. This still applies today and we should be looking into improving the standard of public transport rather than adding to congestion.

Please don't take our park; I look forward to your response on this matter.

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