Agenda Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Item

Report of Director of Technical & Environmental Services To Traffic and Parking Working Party on 12th March 2003

Report prepared by : James Westgate

Western Esplanade – Principles for Highway Redesign

Part I Public Agenda Item

1. Purpose of Report

1.1. To seek the support of the Working Party to the principles listed as the basis for the Highway Redesign of Western Esplanade between the Pier and Shorefield Road.

2. Recommendations

2.1 To support the principles listed in the report as the basis for the Highway Redesign of Western Esplanade between the Pier and Shorefield Road in order to identify estimated costs and to prepare funding bids.

2.2 Not to proceed with the proposal (November 2002 meeting) to investigate the use of a barrier on Shorefield Road to reinforce the, part-time, no entry from Western Esplanade.

3. Background

3.1 The recent cliff slip required the emergency closure of the northern carriageway of Western Esplanade between the Pier and the start of the central parking area. Two way working was effected on the southern carriageway. In the light of this apparent deterrent to racing by cruisers the Portfolio Holder asked the Director to examine the possibility of producing an experimental scheme for two way working on Western Esplanade to maintain this deterrence to racing. Unfortunately it has not been possible in the short term to develop a scheme to this effect that does not lose parking space and can operate safely.

3.2 As part of the exercise consideration was given as to how the longer term needs for a redesign of Western Esplanade could be effected.

3.3 Over many years thought has been given to the complete highway redesign of Western Esplanade between The Pier and Shorefield Road to suit the future needs of the Town. A project with a works cost of £5 million needs to be contemplated before it would be worthwhile drafting a design to provide a real estimated cost. This has previously been a barrier. However with the variety of funding possibilities now available:  Local Transport Plan – specifically cycling and the possibility of making an additional funding bid linked to Thames Gateway South Essex development,  Crime and Disorder bids,  Regeneration funding,  Cliff Stabilisation and flood prevention,

preparation of a draft design and bids for funding would seem to be realistic. Ideally a very large project comprising all these elements would be undertaken.

DTES 03/55 Part I Page 1 of 3 Report No: DTES 03/55 Final 3.4 The Council’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) identifies the seafront highway as being a special case distributor road. While it serves as a through route for a lot of its motor traffic it is a very significant leisure, recreation and business area with needs that conflict with those of the through traffic. The LTP includes proposals to implement the national cycle network route (Shoebury to London) but recognises that on Western Esplanade this needs to be done as part of a comprehensive new layout.

3.5 Two Crime and Disorder concerns have been raised in regard to Western Esplanade. One is the anti-social and unsafe ‘racing’ element of ‘cruising. The other is cycling on the footway which is a general problem identified by the Community Safety partnership and an annually Community Safety Action Plan target. The principles of the proposed layout below are intended to address the concerns by redesigning the Esplanade to control racing by removing the potential for circulating traffic and providing specific space for cycling.

3.6 The existing layout is a dual carriageway part parking (and servicing and bus/coach bays) on carriageway and part parking in wide central reservation. On the north side there is a footway at the foot of cliffs. On the south side there is a wide promenade adjacent to the seawall revetment.

3.7 The proposed layout would include the following elements and benefits:  North side moved northwards with new retaining wall at the foot of the cliffs- NB the new footway is likely to be narrower than the existing one.  Two-way single carriageway on the north side of the highway with servicing and coach/bus laybys  Double rank of parking (possibly echelon) with central one way access road. Access egress points at each end and three intermediate points. No direct access to individual parking bays from the main carriageway.  A fully segregated cycle way (similar to that between the former Gas works site and Shoebury Common. This is part of the Sustrans national cycle network, part of Local Transport Plan strategy and will form the basis for a bid for additional LTP funding. Sustrans will be preparing a bid for funding for the NCN route 16 Southend to London as part of Thames Gateway South Essex and will form part of the “green-grid”. A recent grant of up to £30k has been received via this route to promote the signing of the route. Creation of the cycle way would also contribute to the Borough’s Crime and Disorder action/ objective to reduce cycling on footways. Experience has shown that at this location, in particular, the use of on-road advisory cycle lanes has not been effective in discouraging cycling on the promenade. The tourism benefits of NCN 16 are considerable.  A reduced width promenade on the south side unless construction over the revetment is feasible.  Suitable structures built out over the revetment for the relocation of street furniture and storage that is currently located on the promenade.  Design should permit implementation in a number of stages if needed to accord with the level of funding achieved.  Reduction in accidents attributable to: the interaction of moving and parking motor traffic, lack of pedestrian crossing points, moving motor traffic between the parking and the promenade and lack of segregated facilities for cycling. Western Esplanade is identified for “route action” on the Borough’s road safety strategy.  Landscaping enhancement  Contribution to regeneration  More manageable layout for special events

3.8 Similar redesign of the narrowed section of Western Esplanade between Shorefield Road and Chalkwell Avenue is likely to be considered in the future, for the same reasons.

3.9 At the November meeting, as part of measures to reduce the impact of racing by cruisers Members agreed to the installation of electronically controlled signs in support of the part time no entry from Western Esplanade into Shorefield Road. Members also agreed that a barrier means of effecting the no-entry should be investigated (with a preferment for rising bollards). Having investigated the issue and discussed them with the Portfolio Holder officers suggested that it would be inappropriate to pursue a barrier at the present time. Officers have been mindful of the need to consider a barrier that could be used safely, would be visually acceptable and would be operated reliably in the local safety environment, but are not satisfied that an acceptable barrier system can be sourced at the present time.

DTES 03/55 Part I Page 2 of 3 Report No: DTES 03/55 Final 3.10 The redesign of the Western Esplanade will also need to take account of the possibility of providing a barrier system at a later date. The electronically controlled signs have been ordered.

4. Local Transport Plan

4.1 The proposal is consistent with the Council’s LTP strategies. The LTP budget for 2003/04 includes funding for the preparation of a draft design and initial estimate of costs.

5. Conclusions

5.1 Members are asked to support the design principles listed in paragraph 3.4 in order for a draft design to be drawn and costed with a view to the preparation of bids for funding the works.

6. Background Papers

6.1 Local Transport Plan 2001/2006 published 31 July 2000

6.2 Local Transport Plan 2001/2006 – Annual Performance Report published 31 August 2001.

6.3 Local Transport Plan 2001/2006 – Annual Performance Report published 31 July 2002.

7. Appendices

7.1 There are no appendices attached to this report.

DTES 03/55 Part I Page 3 of 3 Report No: DTES 03/55 Final