Southend Council plans to invest millions in road repairs and the Better Queensway project to enhance local infrastructure and housing.
Southend: The council is stepping up its game with a hefty £2.5 million boost for fixing pavements in the upcoming budget. This is on top of the £8.5 million already set aside for road work from 2024 to 2027.
They’re also adding £1.5 million to repair roads, which is in addition to the £6.16 million already planned. It’s all about making our streets safer and smoother to drive on.
Plus, there’s a big chunk of cash—around £5 million—going into the Better Queensway scheme. This project aims to build 1,700 new homes right in the city center.
The funding will help finish a new highway project through Queensway by 2027. This includes filling in the underpass and creating a four-lane road from the town center to the seafront.
Daniel Cowan, the council leader, mentioned that this infrastructure work is crucial. It’s already drawing interest from developers after a previous partner backed out.
He noted that the whole project will take about 22 months and will be done in phases. Most of the funding, about 75%, is coming from external sources, which is great news.
Cowan emphasized the importance of moving quickly. If they don’t, they risk losing funding. Separating the road work from the housing project makes it easier for developers to get involved.
Since announcing the highway work, there’s been a surge of interest from potential partners, which is promising for the future of the project.
The council is also earmarking funds for other community projects, like a new inclusive playground at East Beach and improvements to signage around the city.
They’re even looking into stabilizing the cliffs on Western Esplanade and creating a new Never Never Land. Plus, there’s £500,000 set aside to spruce up car parks that need some TLC.
