Plans set for a fun and safe Easter weekend in Southend-on-Sea

We are working alongside partners to ensure everyone who spends time in our City, stays safe and well. Plans have been in place for several weeks now, as the spring break approaches.

We are urging people to;

• Drive sensibly and park safely
• Dispose of litter properly or take it home
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol
• Be ‘beach safe’
• Be respectful to uniformed staff who are there to help you

The public will see a visible presence of council teams and contractors, with the council’s community safety officers, Business Improvement District (BID) Rangers, beach welfare officers, pier and foreshore staff, parking marshals, parking enforcement officers, as well as other agencies on duty.

This group is supported by the council’s team of CCTV operatives who play a vital role in highlighting suspicious behaviour, any potential flashpoints, thereby protecting the city’s residents and visitors. For the first time, the council’s CCTV van will be operating along the seafront keeping a close eye on everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

Any motorcycles arriving at the seafront on Easter Monday will be directed to Eastern Esplanade car park (formerly known as Gas Works car park). Marine Parade will be open to through traffic, but parking is suspended along this area on Easter Monday for the safety of pedestrians.

Stricter rules are also now in place meaning barbecues are not permitted anywhere on the beach or seafront area, and personal watercraft, such as jet skis, are subject to new controls. These are both due to ongoing concerns about public safety.

John Burr, executive director for neighbourhoods and environment, said: “We want people who visit our lovely City to arrive feeling safe and welcome, have a great time and then leave feeling safe, happy, and planning their next visit. Unfortunately, sometimes there is a small minority of people whose behaviour ruins it for everyone else, hence why the Council and other agencies have significantly increased their presence along the seafront over the bank holiday weekend.

“All we’re asking is for the people who spend time in the City, especially at the seafront, to be respectful, clear up after yourself and be mindful of others. If everyone does their bit, then we can all enjoy a fun and safe Easter weekend to the full.”

Please plan your visit

For more information on car parks and charges, visit the car parking page on our website.

There are now a number of ways you can pay for parking, alongside the machines in place.

We have the RingGo and Mobon parking apps, which once downloaded, allows you to select your location and pay for parking as you go. If you decide to spend more time in the City, you can easily extend your parking without returning to your car.

For visitors who know they’ll be returning, there is also the Southend Pass, which for £10 per month, offers three hours of parking every day in each parking zone. For more information and to download the Southend Parking app, please visit our website.

You can also take the train into Southend-on-Sea via the Greater Anglia and c2c lines. Check their website for further information on any service alterations:

Train times, tickets and service information | Greater Anglia

Buy c2c train tickets for services between Southend and London (c2c-online.co.uk)

Beach safety

The Council offers the following advice to help ensure a visit to the beach is remembered for all the right reasons.

• Supervise children and vulnerable adults at all times. There is safety in numbers.
• Wear jelly shoes or other sensible footwear on the beach and in the sea. Like with all seafronts, hidden dangers such as sharp shells and rocks may be hidden under the sand or water.
• Don’t climb the rocks: Several areas of our seafront have rocks, including our seafront lagoon at Three Shells Beach. Please do not climb them.

Observe signs and flags: Be aware of your surroundings and the times of the tides. There is a link to tide timetables on our website. Heed warning signs and flags: they could save your life!