TRAMS, huge pier attractions, and a motorway-style A127 are all part of the vision for Southend’s first few decades as a city.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend City Council, also wants to see new hotels and large numbers of new jobs created, along with huge investment and major companies heading to the city.

He said: “I hope we see the A127 boosted to almost be like a motorway which will make coming and going much easier.

“I still want to see trams to connect up Rochford, Rayleigh and Castle Point and Southend. I think these would link with the A127 improvements and would work for both commuters and leisure use.

“We need to remember what we did before and look back to keep going especially with the trams idea.

“The pier could be the new golden mile, with a warship such HMS Belfast and a top London Dungeons-style attraction there.”

He also wants to see a new pavilion for the pier museum with other pier artifacts and features.

Mr Woodley cited the current developments such as the £575 million Queensway regeneration with 1,760 new homes, and the proposed Seaways plan with Hollywood Bowl and restaurants, as evidence that Southend was ripe for investment.

He also pointed to nearby Chelmsford, which became a city in 2012, as evidence of the benefits of city status.

Business group Chelmsford BID agreed that the new status helped to bring firms like John Lewis to the new Bond Street shopping destination.

Manager Sara Tupper said: “Since Chelmsford became a city ten years ago, it has flourished and grown. The impact in the city centre has been great, attracting some big name retailers and businesses such as John Lewis, bringing with it an increase in footfall, spending, jobs and more.

“The city status has allowed us to deliver projects and initiatives that wouldn’t have been possible before, with investment and partnerships at the helm.”