A pensioner says she fears for her health after an airport revamp left her with 50 jets taxiing at the bottom of her garden every day.

Janet Marchant, 67, has lived in her bungalow near Southend Airport in Essex with husband Paul for seven years without any issues.

However, recent changes to the airport involving a new runway strip have left passenger jets lining up just 150ft (45.7m) from her house before take-off from 6am to 11pm every day.

The retired newsagent says the constant noise and smell of fumes from the aircraft is unbearable, and the days of barbecues with friends in the garden are over.

Image: Janet Marchant says 50 jets taxi at the end of her garden on a daily basis. Pics: SWNS

She said: "You can't have a conversation in the garden with anyone because you can't hear them.


"When we are inside with the door closed we have to pause the TV until the plane has gone past.

"We worry about our grandchildren coming around and the enjoyment of having people over for barbecues is ruined.

Image: Residents near the airport are disturbed by the recent revamp

"I love my garden and used to do a lot of gardening but now it is all spoilt with the noise and the smell."

Mrs Marchant said the problems began in November 2017 when the airport revamped its Charlie taxiway.

She said she opened her curtains one morning and said to her partner: "There's a bloody great jet in our garden!"

Image: An easyJet plane takes off on the Charlie taxiway

She added: "The pollution and smell is awful and it's really noisy.

"My partner's breathing is now not so good and my neighbours say they can't sit outside or open their windows at certain times of the day.

"Yesterday there were about 10 that went past and one was sat waiting for about 10 minutes before it took off and it was incredibly noisy.

"It can't be good for your health.

"We aren't against the airport but this is the most convenient and cheapest option for the airport."

Image: Southend Airport says it is working to reduce noise

Mrs Marchant, who is worried about her property dropping in value, claims she received a letter from the airport telling her to stop complaining about the noise to a forum on its website.

A Southend Airport spokesman said: "London Southend Airport is very proud of both its long heritage, having been an airport since 1914, and the important, positive role it plays in the community.

"We appreciate that the Wells Avenue properties were built close to the Charlie taxiway, and are currently engaging with those residents through quarterly meetings and are actively investigating active measures to reduce noise.

"The airport has ambitious plans to grow, and will continue to work closely with the CAA to ensure the airport remains safe and environmentally responsible for all our stakeholders."

Around 1.4m passengers passed through Southend Airport in 2018.