Southend Central Area Transport Scheme (S-CATS) is a £7m project is being fully funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Growth Fund through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).
The first phase of S-CATS was completed last year with £1m worth junction improvements on Victoria Avenue (Great Eastern, Carnarvon Road and East Street/West Street).
Phase 2 is £2m public realm and streetscape improvement scheme along London Road (between Queensway and College Way) to make this an attractive gateway to Southend High Street.
The project will see a much improved streetscape including better lighting, an improved drainage system, seating, block paving and enhanced landscaping along London Road (between Queensway and College Way). It will also include the removal of two mini-roundabouts and improved access and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It will see some smaller-scale improvements between London Road and The Forum along College Way, Queens Road and Elmer Avenue.
Drainage works will begin on 2 October 2017 ahead of the rest of the improvement works.
Later phases of the project will focus on improving the section of London Road (from College Way to Victoria Circus) in 2018/19, and then improving the Victoria Circus public area itself in 2019-2020. A much wider stakeholder engagement process is planned to develop design options for these phases.