City Beach
Start Date:
January 2010
Completion Date:
March 2011
City Beach, on the central seafront, is the first project to be undertaken as part of the massive £25 million investment package. The plan is to encourage visitors to make more use of the town's famous seafront and stay longer.
State-of-the-art lighting columns will be a centrepiece of the City Beach project, helping to extend the day into the evening. Residents and visitors will also be able to enjoy a new landscaped area, complete with a refreshing fountain. There will also be improved access to the beach, as well as new footpaths and cycle facilities.
The project seeks to build on Southend's seaside traditions and existing assets to transform the beachfront for residents and visitors alike. There will be wider pavements either side of a new single-carriageway road. This will 'make space' for more businesses and recreational activities such as pavement cafes, cycling and public arts and entertainment. Better surfacing, street furniture lighting and landscaping will complete the scene.
Victoria Gateway
Start Date:
January 2010
Completion Date:
March 2011
The ‘front door' of Southend needs a major overhaul to improve traffic flow and improve the town's appearance to visitors. The roundabout in front of the station is nearly 50 years old and can't take any more traffic at peak times.
The new layout aims to address these problems and improve the experience for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, without having a significant impact on traffic. The plan is to make this important gateway to the town more attractive, efficient and safer.
The 'Victoria's' project will create a new public space linking the station with the town centre and replace the existing roundabout with a signal controlled junction.
Works has started on the new Victoria Gateway Square. Making travel across the borough easier and improving the appearance of the town are key to bringing in more visitors, business and jobs.
Cuckoo Corner
Start Date (Main Works):
June 2010
Completion Date:
March 2011
One of the worst bottle necks in the borough, Cuckoo Corner, will get a £5 million make-over to help reduce congestion and ease the flow of traffic in and around town.
State-of-the-art traffic signal technology will be introduced to reduce queues, with real time updates keeping the traffic moving.
In addition, improved capacity at the roundabout will provide more lanes and help prevent hold ups. In total it is predicted that improvements to the junction will see a whopping 400 hours per day saved by driver's queuing at the junction in peak-time traffic.
New cycle and pedestrian crossings - and landscaping - will compete the overall package.
Progress Road
Start Date:
June 2010
Completion Date:
March 2011
Progress Road on the boundary of Southend-on-Sea is an important industrial estate. For years this junction with the A127 has been associated with long delays. Starting in June 2010 some £4.6 million will be spent to make entering the town a much more pleasant and swifter experience.
The project is part of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's strategy to reduce journey times and improve reliability on the A127 and across the town. Improving road access to important estates like Progress Road is also key to attracting more jobs to the Borough.
