Prittle Brook Greenway

The Scheme Proposals

The Prittle Brook Greenway scheme will form a sustainable traffic-free corridor linking Priory Park (east of Victoria Avenue) to Woodlands Park (to the west of Belfairs Park), with considerations for a subsequent extension to Poors Lane North in Castle Point Borough and eastwards to Rochford, planned for the future. The Greenway is a key component of the South Essex Green Grid, promoted as part of the Thames Gateway South Essex Regeneration Project. 

The Greenway has been divided into an "urban" section and a "rural" section. Work has been completed on the "rural" section within Belfairs Park. A series of well-defined signed paths have been provided to allow safer and more direct through routes for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians. The "urban" section will generally follow the course of Prittle Brook and we have gained approval from the Secretary of State to convert the route to a shared cycle track. Proposals include widening the hard surface to accommodate this shared use. 

Access links to local amenities, such as schools and shops, and to Southend Hospital, Priory Park, Belfairs Park and the Borough of Castle Point will be improved. The provision of improved road crossings will help ensure greater safety and control shared access onto the Greenway. 

The aesthetic design of the Greenway has two linked themes; the recently discovered Prittlewell Prince and the ecological characteristics of Belfairs Park. Custom-made furniture such as benches, railings, bollards and entrance features will clearly signal the presence of the Greenway and will make reference to these concepts. Extensive new planting will take place using native species to enhance the landscape. Interpretation boards and artwork will be installed to complete the route.

Funding for the works has been provided by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Department for Communities and Local Government), through the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), and Sustrans as part of the Thames Gateway South Essex Green Grid Strategy, with additional funding from the Southend-on-Sea Local Transport Plan and the Cory Environmental Trust.

The scheme design is a joint venture between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Land Use Consultants (LUC), Transportation Planning International (Tpi) and Atkins Highways & Transportation.

The scheme proposals have been developed through a series of meetings and consultation with key stakeholders, user groups and local residents and give consideration and importance to:

• Enhancing biodiversity
• Protecting the existing species in this important ecological area
• Providing access for all users with allowance for cyclists, pedestrians, those with visual or mobility impairments and equestrians

Project Update

Consultation Activities and Findings

Stakeholder and public consultation procedures were carried out, and although many individual concerns and objections were voiced at this time. The majority of people were in favour of improvements and the provision of a Greenway facility. 

Final proposals were submitted to Cabinet for their consideration on the 27th September 2005. The proposals were subsequently approved and consent was given to proceed with the rural section of the Greenway.

Location of the Greenway route within Belfairs Park

Construction work relating to part of the rural section contained within Belfairs Park was completed in March 2006. Local Stakeholders and residents groups were provided with update letters and notes regarding the project, plus the plan of works and contact details. 

Summary of Consultation Findings

The hearing took place on 16th, 17th, 18th January 2007 and is now formally closed. A report will be sent to the Secretary of State for a decision.