AMBITIOUS plans for a Southend marina have come and gone since the 1970s.

An early proposal was for a marina to be built on Eastern Esplanade with a rail service linking the marina to Southend High Street and Southend Victoria and Southend Central stations. 

Had it got off the ground, it was estimated it would take up to five years to construct and would have included extensive shopping and leisure outlets but the plan never saw the light of day.

A bigger scheme followed with proposals for a marina to be built on its own island and connected via bridges. 

According to the Southend heritage site, Southend Timeline, “attractions would have included a sports centre, hotel, housing, golf course, swimming pools and other facilities” 

This too was mothballed ahead of a more modest plan in the 1980s for a marina to be built around the old Corporation Loading Pier as a haven for Tall Ships.

A third failed scheme, the Southend Victoria Marina, was designed to cater for up to 80 yachts and a new yacht club. It would have been built on the site of the Corporation Loading Pier following its demolition.

Southend residents largely welcome the idea of a marina but some doubt it will ever happen.

Writing on the Echo Facebook page, Keith Webster said he believed such plans go back even further. 

He said: “This or similar ideas have been proposed since the 1930’s. 

“It will never happen not least because the area would have to get passed by Natural England and the Environment Agency. The whole conservation industry would never allow it.”

Glen Walker said: “What a shame successive councillors have sat on their hands with no vision and no aspirations for the town.

“The money this would have brought in would have been huge. 

“We are the closest seaside to London. It should be the place to go.”

Lee Chapman added “This would and could still be a great idea. Bring a little more class to the front.”

However, Steve Howard said: “It would never work with the tides.”