VISITORS will be welcomed back to Southend from next month as car parks and the pier re-open following lockdown. 

The Government’s long-awaited announcement of its roadmap out of lockdown will see car parks open again on March 29.

The date will mark the end of the “stay at home rule” when outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed.

People will be able to get together in private gardens. Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts will also re-open and organised adult and children’s sport, such as grassroots football, will return.

Southend Pier is also set to re-open a few days later on April 12.

The news was welcomed by Southend Seafront Traders’ Association. Member Paul Thompson who has called for the opening of car parks as soon as possible, said: “This is good news. 

“In the meantime I would like to see the council open up Seaway and Sealife car parks immediately for use by Southend residents only in accordance with government guidance.

"Access could be permitted on production of a driving license, similar as when residents visit recycling centres.”

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Ron Woodley, councillor responsible for transport, inward and capital investment, said: “Since the seafront car parks were closed at the start of the year, we have seen less out of town visitors and positive cases of Covid-19 have continued to fall in recent weeks.

“Following the Government’s roadmap announcement, we are pleased that there is now a positive plan to get the economy going once again and allow friends and families to start meeting again, and that we can now begin planning for what we hope will be a fantastic summer season for the town.”

Mr Woodley said the ability to avoid extended restrictions “is in our own hands”. 

He added: “Our seafront car parks will remain closed for the time being, but plans are being put into place to re-open them, along with the seafront parking bays, from March 29, which is when the “stay at home” rule comes to an end.

"Above all we must still obey the government rules and protect ourselves from the virus.”