Allocate and promote new sites for additional tourism/leisure developments in the central seafront area or elsewhere in the Borough. Where do you think these should be focused?
My opinion is that there is already an adequate amount of leisure development in the central seafront area; future leisure developments should focus on encouraging visitors to explore other parts of the borough. A suggestion would be to build a Promenade Park (Maldon) type of development in the Shoebury area to encourage more visitor activity around the towns Blue Flag Beach areas. This would also relieve some pressure from the central Southend access and parking infrastructure.
Promote further hotel and tourist accommodation. Should this continue to be directed to areas in the town centre, seafront and airport or should other areas be promoted?
Southend-on-Sea is probably one of the only east coast resorts that does not cater for camping and caravan holidays With over 10m domestic camping and caravan overnight trips, this tourism sector generates over £1.7 billion per annum which currently we are not tapping into. Areas that could be considered as potential campsites include Shoebury East Beach and Leigh Marshes.
Promote the second phase of City Beach and enhanced public realm areas. Should priority for City Beach be given to the areas east of the Pier adjacent the Kursaal or west of the Pier?
Priority should be given East of the Pier as the public realm this side is in urgent need of regeneration.
Improve accessibility to the central seafront areas for all users. How best do you think this could be achieved?
Suggestions for consideration:
• Bypass from out of borough on A127 around the north of the town feeding directly to the areas east of the town centre.
• Two lanes turning left towards seafront on Vic Avenue, majority of traffic event out of peak season turns left here and there are constant queues in the left hand land. Two lanes to turn left and one lane to turn right would ease congestion and improve traffic flow. There is plenty of room here with the shared space. Or event consider an underpass from Vic Ave turning left resurfacing further along in Queensway to eliminate traffic from the Vic Gateway junction.
• Multistory car parks – Tylers, Gasworks.
Seek further enhanced links between the central seafront and town centre to improve services and facilities. How best do you think this could be achieved?
More leisure facilities south of High Street, to blend/ link both areas. More imaginative use of Royal Square, pretty much dead space for most of the year but could be used more innovatively to link areas, outdoor street food/drinks area, place making art and installations to make that link area and would make it look more attractive. Live band and performance pop up space etc to encourage high quality ‘Covent Garden’ style busking.
Continue to safeguard Key Visitor Car Parking in line with the provisions of the Southend Central Area Action Plan?
Parking is crucial to the viability of the central seafront offer and will need to be protected if we are to remain competitive with similar resorts as the bulk of our visitors arrive by car. Increased access and parking issues will influence visitors decision making with regards to which resort they choose to visit.