The creation of an improved public realm, to make the central area and seafront attractive, distinctive and memorable is at the heart of realising the vision and objectives of the Southend Central Area Masterplan (Final Report March 2008).
The Victorias Project Area
Funded by Homes and Communities Agency RSL and the Council have prepared a Design Brief outlining proposals for far-reaching improvements to the public realm in the area of Queensway, London Road and Victoria Circus. The project area is called ‘the Victorias’ and is shown on the plan.
The Council has also been awarded additional funding by HM Communities and Local Government to design-up and implement the first phase of the Project called Victoria Gateway, which includes removing the roundabout in favour of a series of new junctions and pedestrian crossings and reclaiming much of this area for use as public space , introducing a new bus priority lane running through the new public space outside Southend Victoria Station, and closing the Deeping that currently links the roundabout with Southchurch Road/Chichester Road.
The scheme will improve way-finding and pedestrian access between Victoria Avenue and the railway station with High Street and overcome the severance imposed by the roundabout and the current highway configuration.
Construction work on Phase 1 is expected to start in 2010.