THERE I was ordering a taxi to Southend Airport rail station, as I regularly do.

I was confronted by the taxi driver who asked whether I wanted to pay a £1.50 surcharge to be taken right up to the rail station entrance. The alternative was to be dropped at a car park some distance away.

The reason?

The airport apparently no longer has a grace period in the car park next to the station entrance and taxi drivers have to add the cost to the journey.

I opted to be dropped at the car park some distance away and ended up getting wet because it was raining so heavily.

I suggest people avoid the airport and go to Rochford.

It’s probably cheaper.

A MAYNARD

Mannering Gardens

Westcliff