Residents and businesses are invited to have their say on the plans to upgrade the Bell junction on the A127.
Seeking views on three options for new highway layouts
The council has drawn up three options for new highway layouts and is asking local people to speak to the project team and give their feedback on each option. The council has set up two consultation events for residents, local businesses and other stakeholders to see the options that the council has proposed, as well as launching an online consultation.
The first consultation will be on:
Tuesday 17 July
3pm until 8pm
Prince Avenue Academy
Hornby Avenue
SS0 0LG from 3pm until 8pm
Second consultation:
Wednesday 18 July
3pm until 8pm
Earls Hall Primary School
Carlton Avenue
SS0 0QH
Improvements to main junctions
Over the past eight years, the council has been working on improvements to the main junctions leading to and from the A127, with Progress Road and Cuckoo Corner having improvements in 2010/11, Tesco roundabout in 2014/15, and Kent Elms nearing completion.
The council has budgeted around £5m for the works, with £4.3m being sought from the Local Growth Fund via the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, with £720,000 coming from Southend Borough Council’s budget.
Cllr Andrew Moring, cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “The Bell junction is a vital section of the road system in and around Southend, with approximately 43,000 vehicles passing through it between 7am and 7pm each day. It is clear that we need to manage traffic better into and out of the town in order to accommodate the continued growth of London Southend Airport and The Airport Business Park as well as to improve air quality locally.
“I would like to invite residents and businesses, and all those who use this stretch of road frequently to complete the online questionnaire, or to attend one of the consultations. We want to hear from as many people and businesses as we can so that we can ensure we deliver highways improvements that fit the needs of our residents and our town.”
An online consultation launches on 16 July and runs until 09 September. To take part, please visit www.bettersouthend.co.uk
If you have any enquiries regarding the consultation, please email:
bettersouthend@southend.gov.uk