SELEP is to invest nearly £11m in three projects in Essex and East Sussex to support their local town centres from its allocation of £570m of the Government’s Local Growth Funds to the projects.
Eastbourne
SELEP has agreed to support Eastbourne town centre with £3m focused on pedestrianising the eastern part of the town’s retail area and improving street furniture, signage, soft landscaping and new street lighting as part of an £87m investment.
The latest funding from SELEP will build on the work undertaken to relocate the bus station and change the layout around Terminus Road/Cornfield Road. This will better integrate the bus and train station and support the extension of The Beacon shopping centre. The project is expected to be completed by June.
Christian Brodie, Chairman of SELEP, said: “Shopping habits continue to change and our communities are becoming more digitally driven. It is vital we make our town centres more attractive places to visit, and easier and safer to get around for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The health and wellbeing of our town centres has a significant impact on the area’s economy and influences investment decisions and the ability to attract and retain staff.
“The Government has recognised that town centres are where commerce and communities meet and have recently announced its Future High Streets Fund. We will be working with our partners to unlock financial support for forward-thinking projects to help our high streets respond to the changes they face.
“The funding for Eastbourne will help it retain and strengthen its retail offer, improve pedestrian safety and accessibility and provide a quality public realm environment for visitors whether they are arriving by public transport, cycling, or simply walking into town.”
SELEP has also agreed £4m of funding towards the Eastbourne and South Wealden Cycling and Walking scheme. This will deliver six elements including:
- London Road – Battle Road – Hawkswood Road – Hailsham: improved footways and improved access onto the shared use path
- Cycle Parking Hailsham: provision of cycle parking for 36 bikes
- Stone Cross – Royal Parade via Langney – Eastbourne: improvements to shared use paths and cycle crossing provisions at busy junctions
- Cycle Parking Eastbourne: provision of cycle parking for 155 bikes
- Eastbourne town centre cycle routes: provision of both on road cycle routes and shared cycling and walking routes around Eastbourne town centre
- Eastbourne town centre wayfinding: installation of finger posts and monoliths around Eastbourne town centre.
Christian Brodie added: “This important project will support the immediate and growing local demand for cycling and walking. It will help mitigate the area’s traffic congestion and support economic growth.
“As well as providing an alternative to taking a car for short journeys, it will also create opportunities and help to tackle health and wellbeing issues associated with physical inactivity.”
Grays
A further £3.7m will be spent supporting the Grays South project which has been designed to reinvigorate the town centre by making it more attractive to retailers and delivering 400 new homes and office accommodation above the shops.
By 2023 a new underpass will have replaced the existing pedestrian level crossing, helping to address the safety concerns shared by Network Rail and Thurrock Council, and tackle the significant divide that the crossing creates within the town centre.
New public squares will be created at either end of the underpass to improve the public realm and provide a high-quality arrival point and meeting place within the town centre, and also improve links to the existing College and High Street.
These public squares will also provide the opportunity to host events within the town centre, thereby adding to its vibrancy and vitality and supporting local businesses.
Christian Brodie added: “The funding will tackle some of the challenges that have been holding back the regeneration of Grays’ town centre.
“As a town, Grays has suffered a gradual decline since the opening of Lakeside shopping centre in 1990, and with the pace of change accelerating as shopping habits become more digitally driven, it is now vital that we intervene in order to improve the town’s prospects.
“This project will enhance and improve the whole experience of visiting Grays and be a timely boost for the economy.”
The project will also support the refurbishment and development of the Civic Offices. This will help to maintain the Council’s presence in Grays. By relocating staff from other premises and co-locating them with other public services it will increase footfall in the town centre during the day.
Southend
The town is to receive £4m for public realm and place-making improvements, as part of the Southend Central Area Transport Project (S-CATS).
As the key gateway into the town centre, Victoria Circus and the stub end of London Road will be the focus of the improvement plans. The area attracts approximately 3,000 pedestrians on weekdays, increasing to 4,000 at the weekends.
Victoria Circus is a key space that pedestrians need to cross to get to and from the High Street, London Road with its restaurants, bars and main supermarket in the town centre, as well as Southchurch Road, Victoria Shopping Centre and the alleyway connecting Victoria Gateway and the train station.
Christian Brodie said: “The Government has recognised that town centres are where commerce and communities meet and have recently announced its Future High Streets Fund. We will be working with our partners to unlock financial support for forward-thinking projects to help our high streets respond to the changes they face.
“Through the investment in public realm, the Southend project will improve the quality of journey for pedestrians, and cyclists and importantly provide a more attractive welcome into the town centre.”
The funding will support the next phase of the Southend Central Area Transport Project (S-CATS), with the key elements identified thanks to the EU-funded Horizon 2020 SUNRISE action research project.
The SUNRISE project brought together Southend-on Sea Borough Council and stakeholders, including local residents, businesses and partner organisations to tackle town centre mobility challenges.