Major schemes could regenerate Victoria Avenue further

January 14, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Major schemes could regenerate Victoria Avenue further

Wednesday 13th January 2016

Victoria Avenue could get a new and improved car park, and up to 52 new homes.

The council unveiled its draft budget for 2016/17 earlier this week (Monday 11th January) which included proposals for additions to its ambitious capital programme.

Two of the proposed new projects are to spend up to £10.9m over the next four years reconstructing the ageing car park adjacent to the former Central Library with a larger car park and redeveloping the Civic East car park with around 52 new homes.

Cllr Ron Woodley, leader of the council, says: “These combined proposed projects are very exciting and will add to the regeneration of Victoria Avenue which is really starting to gather pace, what with the recent opening of The Hive, the on-going renovation of many office blocks into housing and the Police station refurbishment.

“The existing car park that served the former library building is approaching the end of its design life, and we believe that this provides a perfect opportunity to create more parking spaces in this area.

“Instead of simply replacing what is already there on a ‘like for like’ basis, a new car park with additional levels could be created providing more parking spaces in this location close to the town centre.

“These new spaces would provide new staff parking for council workers displaced by the redevelopment of the Civic East car park, but also more spaces closer to the town centre for shoppers, local businesses and visitors to use. It will also generate much needed additional income for the Council.

“The redevelopment of the Civic East car park with 52 new homes would follow on from the on-going regeneration of the former South Essex College site in Carnarvon Road, help with our ambition to create more housing for local people and also generate sustainable income.”

The Victoria Avenue car park that served the former library provides 165 spaces, and the Civic East car park (staff parking behind Civic Centre) provides 164 spaces. The new car park could provide 335 to 410 spaces depending on the height.

In a separate project, it is also proposed that £400,000 is spent from April 2016 to March 2018 to improve general car park infrastructure.

Pay and display equipment will be upgraded across all car parks, there will be surface improvements at East Beach and Rayleigh Road, lighting upgrades at Belton Gardens, layout alterations to improve accessibility and security and communication links with the CCTV service at University Square, and communication link improvements with the CCTV service at Tylers Avenue.

• 19th - January Budget Cabinet meeting
• 25th - to 28th January Scrutiny Committees debate budget proposals
• 11th - February Second budget Cabinet meeting
• 25th - February Full Council meeting (to set budget and council tax)