Southend's seafront promenade has been widened as part of moves to keep people safe and socially distant following the lockdown easing.

The Western Esplanade has been temporarily widened, to allow more space for people to enjoy the seafront this weekend and beyond.

The widened promenade from Chalkwell to close to the pier, is made possible by a contraflow system installed by Southend Council.

Echo:

Work in progress - the contraflow system will still allow cars to travel in both directions, but reduce lane width while keeping all parking bays along the Western Esplanade out of use

The contraflow system allows cars to travel in both directions, but reduce lane width while keeping all parking bays along the Western Esplanade out of use.

Seafront car parks previously re-open today (Saturday), but the council has confirmed they are keeping all seafront parking bays across the borough suspended for this weekend.

Southend Council has also launched a ‘Stay Safe, Stay Apart’ campaign on social media, which urges seafront visitors to stay apart from others when they are outdoors.

Trevor Harp, councillor for health and adult social care said: “Our clear message is to stay at least 2 metres apart from anyone you don’t live with.

“Although limits on exercising and being outdoors have been eased, we are still fighting this pandemic and we all need to do our bit to stop the spread and control coronavirus and save lives.

“So whether you are out running, walking or cycling, please stay safe and stay apart. 

"Please also make sure you are regularly and properly washing or sanitising your hands when out, and when you return home too.”

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

“That is why we are now urging people to stay safe, stay apart whatever they are doing.

“The measures we have put in along the seafront will help people do that, but we also urge everyone across Southend-on-Sea to self-enforce too, and take individual personal responsibility to keep their distance from those they don’t live with. So please stay safe, stay apart.”

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council, added: “Taking all of these decisions has been a very tricky balancing act.

“Due to the national announcement, it is clear that we cannot now stop people driving to Southend-on-Sea from afar, but our message is that we want people from Eastwood to Shoeburyness to be able to use their seafront facilities safely, be it through walking or driving if they choose. 

"An influx of visitors from outside the borough will not make this possible and make social distancing impossible.

“So while we have re-opened seafront car parks, all of the seafront bays remain suspended at this time, we have a contraflow system in place to create as much space as possible for pedestrians, and we are saying to people outside of the Borough – ‘Don’t Visit Southend just yet."