Improvement works to East Beach, Shoeburyness, which will provide increased parking and easier access for residents and visitors, are progressing well following the start of the work in April.
The two-phase project will see the existing layout of East Beach improved, with the existing car park - which is currently unmarked, made up of loose gravel and heavily worn - resurfaced and have 224 spaces marked out, including 11 disabled spaces. The car park is also being wired to accommodate electric vehicle charging points as demand grows in the coming years.
Further improvements are also being made to the area, with a dedicated footpath and cycle access from Shoeburyness High Street to enable better access to the area, alongside additional solar powered lighting columns and increased CCTV coverage. Works started on phase one of the project last month (Monday 11 April), with the footpath and cycleway being constructed, and the wiring for the electric vehicle chargers installed. This phase is on schedule and will be completed in approximately two weeks.
The construction of the car park will be carried out as part of phase two. The project is being undertaken by Marlborough Highways and council engineers, and the project is due to be completed by the end of August 2022.
Cllr Steven Wakefield, cabinet member for transport, asset management and inward investment, said: “East Beach has needed these improvement works for some time now, so it is great to see it underway. The improved layout will benefit visitors to East Beach but also residents and those from the surrounding area.
“It’s important that we improve our visitor offering to the east of the City. East Beach is one of our many sought out attraction spots for residents and visitors alike, and so it is great that these works are due to be completed in August, making our open spaces and facilities more accessible, which will include the proposed new cafés, refurbished toilets and beach.
“It’s great news that the proposed café developments for East Beach also now have planning permission and we expect those to be coming forward over the course of 2022. Any expressions of interest for these should be directed to local agent Ayers and Cruiks who are engaged by the Council to market these.
“The car park will also have the facilities for commuters to purchase a season ticket – available on our website for just £45 per month - so that they can use the car park hassle-free and get on the train for their commute, and perhaps even grab a coffee from one of the cafés beforehand.
“As we continue to work towards creating a carbon-neutral City by 2030, it is important we intensify the roll-out of electric car charging points to keep up with expected future demand. As such, wiring is being installed for all spaces, so they would have the capacity to become E-charging points in the future.”