The Masterplan describes a strategy for the town centre and seafront to guide development through to 2021 and a programme of public investment and Major Project Areas whose aim is to deliver a transformational change in the quality of the town centre and encourage private investment.
RSL has been allocated funding by CLG to commence the design of Public Realm Improvement projects within the town centre as part of the wider Masterplan proposals and it is anticipated that further capital funding may be secured for future project implementation linked to the Thames Gateway Parklands initiative. We, together with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, propose commissioning new landscape proposals for a public realm improvement in the area of Queensway, London Road and Victoria Circus. The project area is called ‘the Victorias’ and is shown on the plan.
The Victorias
The Masterplan proposes radical changes to this area of the town centre that are expected to reflect the high quality green vision for public spaces associated with the Thames Gateway Parkland initiative. The Thames Gateway Parkland project specifically recognises the importance of the town square and role in contributing to a sense of place by providing cultural, economic and environmental activities, including flowers, fountains, food, festivals and movement. We anticipate that the Thames Gateway initiative will act as a strong reference point in influencing the design.
The Design Objectives for Queensway include:
- To create a more viable gateway entrance to the town centre with clear signposting and conveying a sense of arrival and orientation
- To create an attractive and viable space for public transport, private vehicles, but one providing equal if not greater priority for pedestrians and cyclists
- To create attractive and visible linkages to the town centre
- To foster sustainable forms of transport
- To explore opportunities for the introduction of quality and enduring public art and lighting and illumination
- To give expression to the transport, movement and car parking strategies described in the Masterplan and SSBC’s Local Transport Plan 2
- To give expression to the design standards described in the Masterplan and SSBC’s ‘Design and Townscape Guide’
The Design Objectives for London Road/Victoria Circus are:
- To expand the development capacity of the town centre and create an expanded network of streets and movement
- To create opportunities for mixed use development
- To create viable urban circuits to reflect the diversity of the town and enhance the urban experience
- To bind the town centre into a cohesive whole where activities and uses are mutually reinforcing and create spillover benefits to drive markets and distinctiveness
- To create strong linkages to Queensway and Victoria Station
- To establish pedestrian priority shared surfaces
- To foster sustainable forms of transport and improve road safety
- To explore opportunities for the introduction of quality and enduring public art and lighting and illumination
- To give expression to the transport, movement and car parking strategies described in the Masterplan and SSBC’s Local Transport Plan 2
- To give expression to the design standards described in the Masterplan and SSBC’s ‘Design and Townscape Guide’
Public consultation to inform the development of design proposals should take place in Spring 2008. The current work is being funded through HM Communities and Local Government.