CYCLE lanes running along A13 from Southend to Leigh are being touted as part of a drive to boost green travel which could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Under the plans to improve Southend’s cycle network, the A13 has been identified as a “key strategic active transport corridor” and “re-allocating” road space, could create the right environment for cyclists and pedestrians.

A cycle way along the London Road was put forward 15 years ago but prompted staunch opposition from businesses who rely on parking bays for customers stopping.

The plan was eventually ditched and was widely believed to be the catalyst for a Lib Dem/Labour administration to lose control of the council to the Tories.

Southend Council’s deputy leader, Ron Woodley, has pledged to listen to residents. Meanwhile, leading Southend Tory Dan Nelson said the proposal was not a priority.

He said: “The A13 proposal should be second tier priority as the Prittlebrook runs parallel to the road at present while the North and South routes are almost non-existent.

“I think it’s still possible to have a cycle lane along the A13, but I think there are areas in the city that need to be prioritised over the A13 as you can get from east to west relatively easily but not from north to south.

“It also needs to be data lead and from what I have seen not everyone wants to ride along the London Road and this money can’t be wasted, it needs to be spent correctly and that to me would be on improving our existing links as currently it is a bit like one minute you are in a cycle lane and the next minute you are not.”

Funded through the Department for Transport, Southend Council has £741,600 to spend on improving the borough’s cycling network and initiatives. Alongside a cycle audit, a review of the existing highway layout of the A13 from highway boundary to highway boundary will also be undertaken and recommendations put forward for consultation.

Mr Woodley, also cabinet member for transport, asset management and inward investment, said: “The officers are building up and looking at different things regarding the cycle lanes across Southend.

“We have money for increasing cycle efficiency, which does include the A13 being identified as a key strategic active transport corridor. I listen to residents with everything, I listen to people across the town and we want to make active travel easier and the norm for our residents to create a greener future.”