Tory MP Sir Teddy Taylor has taken delivery of a petition opposing any threat to the future of Priory Park, Southend.

Starting young - two-year-old Alia Low helps Shaun Qureshi hand over the petition to the MP. Picture: ROB WELHAM 5DD476

Protesters have spent months campaigning against Southend Council's plan for a road widening scheme in Priory Crescent which would have cut into the park.

Council chiefs bowed to public pressure and drew up a new plan which avoided using any parkland for the scheme to ease congestion in Priory Crescent.

However, some trees along Priory Crescent would have to be felled as part of the latest proposal, which would also use the existing highway and some commercial land.

Shaun Qureshi, spokesman for the campaign group Parklife, said: "We feel the council will not acknowledge public opinion and that is what concerns me.

"More than 20,000 people have signed petitions over this and we are really asking for full consultation."

Published Monday December 17, 2001