Southend High Street could see introduction of pop-up parks

Southend Council has launched a public consultation for a range of proposed pop-up parks in the high street.

These pop-up parks will provide small pockets of greenery bringing colour and life to underutilised areas and key access points to the high street.

Proposal - Queens Road (Image: Southend Council)

Bosses add that the aim is to “enrich the visitor experience, help drive economic growth, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to community wellbeing”.

Meg Davidson, deputy leader and Conservative councillor responsible for environment, said: “These exciting proposals are designed to continue the rejuvenation of our High Street and provide a range of offerings including more seating, attractive plants and flowers, increased City Centre biodiversity, extra lighting at night, and play areas for children to enjoy.

Proposal - South of railway bridge (Image: Southend Council)

“People of all ages would benefit from the pop-up parks.

“The proposed plans also include sponsorship opportunities for local businesses to help raise their profile and get exposure to extensive High Street footfall.

Proposal - High Street North Approach (Image: Southend Council)

“Businesses would also be giving back to the community by helping to support the maintenance and watering of the pop-up parks to ensure they are looked after all year round.

“I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and have their say on the proposed plans because it’s our residents, and of course visitors, who will benefit from these pop-up parks.”

Proposal - Southchurch Road (Image: Southend Council)

Five pop-up park locations have been proposed within the consultation with their reasonings as to why these areas are best suited.

Proposal - Southern end of high street (Image: Southend Council)

• High Street north approach – A key pedestrian route from Southend Victoria Train Station and a gateway entrance to the High Street.
• Southchurch Road – This will link to the future Better Queensway scheme.
• Queens Road – The west side of the High Street connecting through to The Forum and local businesses on Queens Road.
• South of the railway bridge – This is extensively paved and would benefit from increased greening and currently lacks interest and activities.
• Southern end of High Street – A long narrow areas of paving which have the opportunity to be enhanced and increase greening.

The public consultation launches on September 21 for eight weeks and anyone can take part by completing an online survey via https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/