CAR park charges will be frozen and roads and pavements will be fixed ass part of a £3.2m cash injection by Southend Council.

The proposals form part of the council's capital budget, which includes £47m for key projects across the borough to be discussed by the council's ruling cabinet on Tuesday.

As part of the plan, car parking charges will be frozen until the council’s car parking strategy is agreed.

The one-hour town centre parking band that was reintroduced in autumn 2019 will also be maintained. Western Esplanade will also maintain the one-hour parking band.

In addition:

  •  £3m will be set aside for road and pavement resurfacing projects
  • £1m from the proposed budget, and £2m from a previously agreed budget for 2020/21- which will include road repairs, road resurfacing, pavement inspections and repairs, and repairing potholes.
  • This money would fund works in the 35 of the highest priority roads across the borough.
  • It is also proposed to invest £450,000, improving the condition of pavements around street trees.

It is also proposed to spend £500,000 resurfacing a number of public car parks, including Warrior Square, Fairheads Green, Hamlet Court Road, Clarence Road and Alexandra Street.

The remaining £1.25m will be spent on better road junction protection (£650,000) at about 75 locations, and improving the road surfaces at 66 key zebra crossings across the borough (£600,000). 

Cllr Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, inward and capital investment, said: “Since the administration took control of the council, we have ensured we have listened to residents’ concerns and taken on board their comments. One of the key issues that comes up is the quality of the roads and pavements across the borough, and we are absolutely committed to improving them.

“This investment, coupled with the £2m already agreed in the capital programme, will allow us to continue to repair and improve roads and pavements across the Borough that need it the most. I am confident with the right investment we can provide the sort of roads we need to support our growing number of residents and visitors.”