It comes as no surprise that yet another plan for Southend Pier’s development vanishes into thin air through lack of funding.

Time and time again Southend Council opts for the big development and time and time again it flops.

Blame is put on Europe, Westminster or failed business deals. The circle of plans, artists’ impressions, press releases, consultations and expensive reports continues as it will for the forseeable future.

Since 1976, this saga has been the norm. The result is depressing.

The pier simply requires some basics. A walkway, a train ride, some shelter from the elements, (not evident in the new south station), some simple refreshments, some basic entertainment and a few boats.

Unfortunately, successive administrations have yet to grasp the role of a seaside pier, possibly because the majority of those in power fail to regularly visit the pier itself and understand its needs.

Another year has been wasted, but if the nettle is grasped and a back to basics attitude is adopted, the pier could thrive as quickly as next summer.

Last August Bank Holiday saw the pier thriving.

The council needs to ask itself why.

It was basics. A boat, entertainment and that most essential seaside element, the sun. Perhaps proven successes need to be built on and not thrown out in favour of expensive unrealistic dreams.

Chris Jones
Hollytree Gardens
Rayleigh