This will be a major milestone in the regeneration of the Queensway estate.
The scheme will reduce the size of the existing roundabout, remove the underpass and discontinued footbridge, and introduce new cycle paths and improved pedestrian access into the town centre. These changes will enhance safety and connectivity for residents and visitors.
At a glance:
- contract signed with Taylor Woodrow to deliver safer, greener, and more accessible streets in the Queensway area
- Essex Street car park to close from 8 September as work begins on major infrastructure improvements
- project unlocks future housing and includes on-site engagement, regular updates, and marshals to support residents and businesses
This phase of the project will begin on-site with the closure of the temporary Essex Street car park from 8 September. The car park will be used to set up a contractor worksite base, which is essential for delivering the works safely and efficiently.
The council recognises the inconvenience this may cause and will put measures in place to support residents and visitors, including clear signage and marshals to guide drivers to alternative central car parks such as Short Street, Warrior Square, Tylers Avenue and Victoria Centre car parks.
Cllr Kevin Robinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Law and Governance, said: "Better Queensway is a bold step forward for Southend, creating safer, more welcoming spaces for everyone, whether walking, cycling, working, or visiting.
"We know change can be disruptive, so we're supporting residents and businesses with regular updates, a Taylor Woodrow community engagement officer on-site two days a week, and alternative parking at car parks like Short Street and Victoria Centre, with marshals to guide you."
This infrastructure work lays the foundation for future high-quality and affordable housing. The council is working with a property firm to guide the next phase of Better Queensway, which will focus on the housing elements.
Cllr Anne Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, added: "Better Queensway is about building the homes and spaces our community needs. This work will improve safety and access, and we'll keep listening to residents through our Queensway Matters forum every two months.
"It's a chance to shape a fairer, more connected Southend, one that reflects our shared pride in the city and our commitment to its future. Together, through your input, we're building a Southend we can all be proud to call home."
Homes England is supporting the project through a £15 million Housing Infrastructure Grant.
Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, said: "As the Government's housing and regeneration agency, we want to support public and private sector partners to unlock strategic housing sites where brownfield, infrastructure or land projects face delivery challenges.
"We're backing Better Queensway with a Housing Infrastructure Fund grant, funding infrastructure and enabling new homes and better public spaces for Southend. This investment will deliver inclusive, sustainable places ready for the future."
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of Better Queensway?
The Better Queensway project aims to regenerate the Queensway area. This will involve two key elements: improving the safety of the Queensway road and roundabout, and building new housing on and around the estate.
How will residents be informed during the project?
We are committed to ensuring residents have a voice throughout the project. There is a Queensway Matters forum which meets every two months for Queensway residents to attend and speak with council officers and the Deputy Leader. To register your interest in joining, please contact: BetterQueensway@southend.gov.uk.
There will be a community liaison officer from Taylor Woodrow on site two days a week, who will be available to answer any questions relating to the project. To get in touch, please contact: Cathryn.Wright@taylorwoodrow.com.
How will the works be funded?
The majority of the infrastructure works will be funded by a Housing Infrastructure Grant from Homes England.
What are the benefits?
Benefits of this scheme include improved safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists, removing unused elements of the road such as the stopped-up footbridge, and creating a new space which suits the needs of residents and visitors to Southend.
Why is the car park being closed?
The car park will be closed to provide a site compound for Taylor Woodrow. This will include materials and welfare units for the contractor.
What other parking options are available nearby?
There will be parking available at the Warrior Square, Tylers Avenue and York Road, Short Street, University Square and Victoria Centre car parks. There will be signage in the area and marshals on site in the first week of the closure to help direct traffic to available parking.
What about season ticket holders?
There are no season ticket holders for Essex Street car park, so no provision to move anyone is necessary.
How will this affect local businesses and visitors?
We will provide more details as the scheme progresses, but we do not anticipate any major disruption to the road network at this stage.
For more information visit our Better Queensway page.