SOUTHEND’S seafront promenade will be temporarily widened from this Saturday to promote social distancing as lockdown restrictions are eased.

The widened walkway, from Chalkwell to Southend Pier, will be made possible by a traffic contraflow system which will still allow cars to travel in both directions.

However, it will reduce lane width by keeping parking bays along Western Esplanade suspended.

Council deputy leader, Ron Woodley, said the move was aimed at accommodating Southend residents as part of new Government guidelines announced earlier this week.

>> Seafront could see ‘hot spots of chaos’ as car parks re-open for the first time

Mr Woodley stressed nobody should visit the seafront unless they live in the town and warned closures would not be ruled out if any crowds can’t be managed safely.

He said: “I would say to people please don’t come down to Southend.

“My main purpose here is to protect the residents of Southend and if you don’t need to go to the seafront, especially where there are large numbers coming from London and elsewhere, don’t do it. We don’t know what they will be bringing with them.”

The Government announced the easing of lockdown restrictions on Sunday and this included telling people they are now able to visit beaches and sunbathe.

But councils representing seaside towns across the country felt the message was vague and gave little guidance on how social distancing could be implemented if crowds of people head to the coast.

Southend’s council leader Ian Gilbert said he was “very concerned” by the announcement and added it was “hard to see how we will stop large crowds from visiting the seafront”.

He said while he is reluctant to do so, he will not rule out closures of the seafront or open spaces if the number of visitors cannot be managed safely.

Martin Terry, Southend councillor responsible for community safety, said: “Physical distancing and ensuring people stay safe and well by staying apart is now a fact of life.

“These measures will help people do that, but we urge everyone across Southend to self-enforce and take individual personal responsibility to keep their distance from those outside their households at this time.”

The town’s top attraction, Southend Pier, will remain shut because it is classed as a ticketed attraction and under government guidance should not open until other leisure attractions such as cinemas and hotels are able to.

This will not be until July 4 at the earliest.

Car parks to re-open this weekend

SEAFRONT car parks are set to re-open from this weekend as part of tentative steps to emerge from lockdown - but council bosses are still urging daytrippers to avoid visiting Southend.

In the wake of restrictions on travel and exercise being lifted, Southend Council will re-open the majority of seafront parking bays, although some will remain suspended.

Seafront parking bays along City Beach, and all those along Western Esplanade which are required to enable the contraflow system will remain suspended.

Parking enforcement across the borough will also resume from Monday, including pay-anddisplay areas and where seasonal parking restrictions are in place.

However, one-hour restrictions in residential areas will not be enforced until Monday, June 1 and enforcement of resident or business permits will not take place for four weeks, although expired permits must continue to be displayed.

The council is also looking at providing free parking for NHS and key workers from next week.

The council said the move is part of a “balanced approach that has been decided on after considering a number of practical options and measures”.

Residents are asked to selfenforce social distancing while queuing and to use Mobon, the parking app which allow cashless and contact free payment for parking.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council, said: “Following the Government announcement on Sunday, we have considered a number of options and measures and decided quickly on what we feel is a balanced approach to protecting local people and businesses, but also respecting the new national instructions.

“The national announcement stated that people are now able to drive to exercise and so we need to open our car parks again, but we also need to ensure people can keep two metres apart, and the contraflow will help achieve that.

Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles one cafe in Western Esplanade, Southend, said: “Seafront take-away businesses along the golden mile have remained closed for the last two months on a voluntary basis in conjunction with the council.

“Following on from the latest Government advice, opening beaches for recreational purposes and recommending travel to beaches by car, the council has decided to re-open their car parks.

“Businesses welcome this news and many businesses are now working with the council in preparation for opening this weekend. Southend is now open for business.”