LIMITING the number of takeaways near schools, tackling idling drivers and boosting air quality could form part of a grand plan to improve the health of young people across Southend.

Southend’s refreshed corporate plan for the next four years has revealed a host of measures which could be introduced in the city with the aim of creating a “good quality of life” for residents with particular focus on children.

The measures include developing a “super-zone” to create a “healthy food environment” around schools – similar to “super-zones” introduced in London which restrict the number of takeaways allowed to open within a 400metre zone of schools.

Laurie Burton, councillor responsible for children, young people and SEND, admitted Southend presents a different set of challenges to London but wants to limit the number of takeaways near schools “targeting children”.

Other measures include introducing anti-idling policies and potential taking action against drivers who leave their cars running while near schools, and expanding on the already successful school streets scheme which close roads outside schools.

Mr Burton said: “In Southend, the health of young people is paramount. When they are healthy and breathing clean air, students’ learning and wellbeing improves vastly.

“We work with schools to ensure healthy options are available at lunchtime and limit the number of takeaways located near school gates.

“Although Southend is obviously different from a London borough, there are successes from the super-zone scheme in London we can learn from here.

“On the issue of takeaways, it is about getting the balance right. Where businesses are acting responsibly, they will be commended. But if they are positioning too many sites close to schools to deliberately target kids then we want to limit that.”

NHS Digital figures show 455 of 2,090 Year 6 pupils measured in Southend were classed as obese or severely obese in 2022-23.

It meant 21.8 per cent of 10 and 11-year-olds were in the highest two BMI categories as they prepared to leave primary school.

This was down from 22.9 per cent the year before but above pre-pandemic levels of 19.7 per cent in 2019-20.

A number of school street schemes have already proved successful in combating air pollution, congestion and making roads safer outside schools as they are shut of to cars during drop-off and collection schemes.

Mr Burton wants to see these rolled out further - particularly around schools close to the A13 and A127 - to cut pollution as well as targeting idling cars.

He added: “Regarding pollution, we are increasing enforcement around cars idling around schools causing pollution, as well as increasing the number of School Streets in the city.

“We are giving extra attention to reducing problem areas, especially around the A13 and A127.

“We are also increasing investment in the cycle network so more young people will be able to cycle to school, enjoying fitness benefits as well as reducing pollution.

“All in all, we want to do as much as we can to ensure our young people are fit, healthy and thriving.”

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Southend Council has been awarded £600,000 from the Government’s “green light fund” aimed at improving traffic flow across the city and upgrading traffic lights to “maximise green times”.

Part of this scheme will include improvements being made on the A127 and A13 to reduce the amount of time drivers are stuck waiting at red lights in a bid to alleviate congestion and improve air pollution.