4:40pm Monday 8th February 2010
By John Geoghegan
THE cost of a makeover for Southend seafront, which involves planting 100 palm trees, has been revealed as £150,000.
Southend Council will spend the money giving the seafront around Western Esplanade a dramatic makeover. It includes a new cycle track and changing the layout of parking spaces.
The tree-planting, which aims to give the seafront a “riviera” feel, is set to begin in the spring with some palms being planted in Eastern Esplanade.
But some residents have complained planting the palm trees is unnecessary and the total cost of the scheme seems expensive.
Peggy Dowie, chairman of the Southend Pier Museum Foundation Trust, said: “I can’t see the point of it to be honest.
“I would much prefer our own English trees to be put in. In this financial climate with everything being cut, I do think it’s a bit much.
“I’m sure the money could be better deployed somewhere else.”
Mrs Dowie believes the council should spend the money on saving the community mental health team for older people, which is being cut.
She said: “I feel they should put the money where it’s most needed. It’s disgraceful what’s happening.”
Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for transport and planning, said the council was paying for the seafront project. She said the money could not be spent elsewhere as it was effectively ring-fenced because it was part of match funding to secure a £3.2million Cycling England grant in 2008.
The grant and match-funding is paying for a programme of works to build and upgrade cycle routes across the borough.
She said: “The Cycle England money can only be spent on cycling projects and we can’t spend it on anything else.
“I know we have an economic problem, but all this creates employment in the local community.
“If we make the seafront more attractive, we get more visitors and create more economic activity in the town.”
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