For many months now we have been waiting work to start on phase 3 of the A13 London Road Passenger Transport Corridor Improvements scheme - that is the stretch between Elmsleigh Drive and Tattersall Gardens. The work, which formed part of Southend's Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 (LPT1), was to designed to deliver improved passenger transport (bus) flows and included improved road layouts and safety features, modern street furniture, new bus shelters with electronic information displays and additional bus bays. A sum of approximately £1.5million was being provided to the Council to cover the work on the Leigh stretch (phase 3).

The improvements between Victoria Circus and Elmsleigh Drive (phases 1 & 2) were completed months ago. Unfortunately these phases overspent their budget allocations by at least £260,000 (LPT Annual Progress Report 2005) - this probably explains why the budget for the Leigh end has now been reduced to £1.2 million which in real terms, after allowing for 2 years' inflation is closer to £1million. Work has also been completed on Southend's successful new bus station

WLRA was told in October that work on our phase would be starting soon and would be completed by March 2007; this is also stated in Southend's Passenger Transport Strategy (section 2.2) published in September 2006. However the work has not yet begun (December) and it is now unlikely that this new target date will be met.

At the beginning of December Councillor Garston, the Cabinet portfolio holder for "Sustainable Southend", said that the funding for the Leigh stretch was included within the overall funding application for LPT2 (which includes the £27.5m Priory Crescent scheme) and that the Government will be giving Southend a decision on the application at the end of December.

At the Business and Ratepayers Consultative Forum on 1st February 2007 WLRA asked Southend Council's executive board: When will work commence on Phase 3 of the A13 (London Road) section of the Public Transport Corridor? The Council's answer was "We await a response from Ministers on the request for further funding". Councillor Garston is to meet with officials from the East of England Regional Assembly towards the end of February to try to resolve the funding issue.

WLRA will continue to press for the delivery of these improvements as soon as possible

Members are reporting a significant increase in the number of damaged pavements, dangerous over-hanging trees and shrubs and obstacles on the footpath.
Much of the increase in broken pavements is a result of contractors vehicles crossing the footpath to deliver material to building sites. As more and more properties in our area are either being extended or knocked down and replaced, the incidence of this type of damage grows day by day. Southend Council works hard to maintain a good state of repair but it seems they're fighting a losing battle. With each successful planning application the Council should require an indemnity deposit from the owners to be used to repair any damage caused.
Another concern that has been raised recently is the proliferation of advertising boards outside shops and cafes along the Broadway. Not only do these obstruct the footpath but they are also a danger to the visually impaired.

WLRA wrote to the Council on 14th December 2006 about both these concerns -

WLRA letter to Southend Council

NB. All incidents of damaged pavements etc should be reported to the Council - see right-hand panel of this webpage.

Over recent months there has been an increasing trend for some people to park their cars and vans on the grass verge or on the pavement. Because the authorities failed to nip it in the bud, this practice it has now become endemic. Not only do those who act in this thoughtless way destroy the grass verges, they also obstruct the pavement and force pedestrians to risk walking in the road, a great danger to the elderly and mothers with pushchairs.
WLRA has written to the Council on several occasions about this but the Council seems unable to do anything about it. However, with the repeal of the Essex Act and the increased powers which may soon be given to local councils, we are hopeful that Southend and Leigh Councils will introduce bye-laws/fixed penalty notices to help stop this anti-social behaviour.

At the Business and Ratepayers Consultative Forum on 1st February 2007 WLRA asked the Council's executive board: When is the Council proposing to implement the approved fixed penalty notice system to combat the problem of driving and parking on grass verges and footpaths? Southend Council's answer: "In order to do this we need the powers under the Essex Act to be transferred to the powers under the Traffic Management Act 2004, but the Government has not done this yet. Nor have they set a date. This will make the enforcement powers clear and allow attendants to issue tickets. In the meantime, we would have to change all the signs and do new Traffic Regulation Orders to issue tickets.". We hope that the Council will press the Government to repeal the Essex Act so that they can at long last stop this selfish, damaging and dangerous activity.