After more than three years of campaigning from Councillor Michael Tickner, a new scheme to improve safety at the junction of Southend Road, Foxgrove Road and Park Road is finally going ahead.
Speaking at the committee meeting where the scheme was approved on 16th March, Conservative Councillor Mike Tickner said:
“This is a difficult 5-way junction with accidents occurring almost every week. Driving out of Park Road here is particularly dangerous.”
The plan will provide a new mini roundabout and 2 pedestrian/cycle crossings, one north and one south of the junction. The original plan to close off Park Road has been dropped but Councillor Tickner has asked traffic engineers to keep that option open if safety does not improve sufficiently.
Mike added:
“The main thing is to allow pedestrians to cross Southend Road safely. We have waited too long to get funding for this junction from TfL”.
In the three years to September, there have been many collisions, 13 causing serious injury, 6 involving cyclists and one pedestrian. The works are expected to cost taxpayers £125k and be completed this summer.
