Better Southend - Cuckoo Corner

One of the worst bottle necks in the borough, Cuckoo Corner, will get a £5 million make-over starting in June. State-of-the-art computer technology will be introduced that will constantly update traffic signals at the junction.

This means that as traffic builds up in one direction the signals can be altered to reduce long queues. Improvements to the junction will see a whopping 400 hours per day saved by drivers queuing at the junction in peak-time traffic.

The new plans ensure that no space will be taken from Priory Park, and allows for further education excavation to take place on the site of the 'Prittlewell Prince' as legally required.

These works started at the beginning of June 2010 and are expected to be completed by the end of March 2011. Our aim is to keep you up to date with progress.

Works at this junction include:

• Improvement capacity on the main roundabout with lanes increased from two to three.
• Introduction of traffic signals on the circulatory area to better manage the movement of vehicles.
• Improved capacity on the A127 by introduction of an additional lane on Prince Avenue approach.
• Improved capacity on the Priory Crescent exit by introducing an additional exit lane.
• Improved capacity on Priory Crescent approach by introducing an additional lane for left turning and straight ahead vehicles.
• Reconfiguration of the Roundabout to allow for three lanes from Priory Crescent;
• Improved pedestrian access across the junction with the introduction of signalised crossings at Victoria Avenue and Priory Crescent.
• Provision to be allowed for the potential future route for South Essex Rapid Transport (SERT), currently under development.
• Improved safety for vehicles entering Earls Hall Parade from Prince Avenue/edge of roundabout.
• Provision for landscaping will be carried out in developing the design further
• There will be minimum alterations required at Earls Hall Parade, current vehicle movements will be maintained with an improvement on safety when entering from Prince Avenue.
• Prince Avenue pedestrian crossing realigned with proposed roundabout traffic signals.

Written correspondence will be given to residents/businesses in the area to advise them of how the works will affect them - before works start. All traffic lanes will be kept open during peak times to assist locals/commuters and visitors accessing Southend. Businesses will be open as usual for trading throughout the duration of the works.

This website will be updated regularly throughout the works, so please feel free to come back and visit us for more information. Real time traffic information is not available via this website, but this information can be obtained from local radio stations such as Southend Radio (105.1FM), BBC Essex 95.3- 103.5FM) or Heart (96.3 -102.6FM).

If there is any further information that you require about this scheme, or anything that you think should be included, please contact us and let us know.