Jaybird-UK

www.bettersouthend.com

In case you hadn't noticed the Seafront is looking like a construction site at the moment, its part of Southend's improvement program and will eventually be called "City Beach"

They are spending £7million on the beach alone, with a total of £25m coming in total from the government - what recession?!

Looks like they are keeping a two way traffic lane open, albeit narrow and probably a low speed like 10mph (ideal for posers!)



Click image for full size

Arkwright

iTrader: (3)

They say they are making the pavements wider either side of a single carraigeway road. All the better for parking on then

Only in the last 18 months or so have I learnt about the southend tradition of car meets which I believe have been going on now almost as long as Southend has existed. So good old blighty rips another portion out of the traditional heart of our country.

53

iTrader: (41)

Isn't it already called "***ty Beach" ?

Nate

iTrader: (2)

I hadn't noticed any work going on ?

They have been trying for years to rid the seafront of cruisers. Where the traffic lights are at The Kursaal used to be a roundabout, making it the ideal cruise, when the traffic lights were introduced, you couldn't double back as easy, and also at the base of Pier hill, that also used to be a roundabout, which slowed traffic coming in from the Casino end, this obvoiusly was changed so, traffic from the Casino end had priority and could filter onto the seafront easier.

I just wonder what the seafront will look like after this project has been completed for a year, chewing gum on the expensive new paving ..... And I wonder how long it will be for people to do a burnout and leave their rubber tracks .

A huge waste of money if you ask me.

Looie

From what comments have been made on here over the last few days about Sarfend, I'm glad I only go there once a year (if that).... sounds like even more reasons to avoid it...

dream machine

iTrader: (2)

this southend lark is a crap idea,causing chaos to all that travel there,bet they dont improve the parking though,i travel to work there every day and that is my quickest route to work,it will now encrease my journey time by half an hour in rush hour,but hey the palm trees fit in well lmao

Arkwright

iTrader: (3)

Paul you have to think about the enviroment and all those nice new expensive plants and maintenance costs involved.
I hope you are going to turn your engine off sat in that traffic polluting the atmosphere for an extra 1/2 hour.
I`ve been driving an extra 5 miles every day now for ages I wish they`d tell us when we can stop doing that. Or have I got it wrong again.
PMSL

scoobygirl42

i couldnt beleave it when i was last down there and see the palm trees i almost forgot where i was (for all of a split second)

dream machine

iTrader: (2)

try a tom tom lol,
hope all is well si,and no turning my motor off aint an option ( being an ol wagon it might not start again),the cheek of it lol

Jaybird-UK

Does anyone else think the new reverse in only parking spaces are a dumb idea? you basically have to reverse into approaching traffic.

Invariably by the time you have spotted a space have a car up your rear already. Also backing into a space is a nightmare for prams, buggies and wheelchair users who need to get the gear out of the boot. Then they have to negotiate through the parked cars, no doubt causing door dings etc

I saw several people making a complete hash of reversing in, going back and forth.

well done Southend council

Nate

iTrader: (2)

As much as I hate what SC have (and are doing) to the seafront, when you pass your test, you should be able to reverse into a parking bay.

I would always reverse into a parking bay anyway, because when you are parking, at least you know what is around you, traffic wise, when it comes to getting out of a parking bay, you just drive out, and you have more visibility for leaving the bay, if you have reversed in, and then you find a van parked next to you, what is more dangerous ?

Really, SC should have allotted space at the rear of the parking bays to facilitate people getting buggies etc out of their cars, but I do still think that the reverse in is how it should be.

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

x2


People who can't reverse into a parking space need their licence taken off them. It isn't hard.

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

I said the very same when we went through on sat, yes everyone SHOULD be able to reverse into a parking space. BUT they cant can they.

Jaybird-UK

Just hope the ones that can't park aren't reversing in next to you! I predict an increase in parking damage

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

they always do

Nate

iTrader: (2)

Seafront really isn't the place to park when it's busy anyway, as you will always be left with some battle scars (esc Southend cruise excluded, as we take over a huge chunk of parking).

To add ..

I love parking my van (reversed in) next to people who have driven into parking bays and then watching them reverse out , it really is something to behold, if their reversing skills aren't that good that they can't reverse in, then they had better be good when they are edging out backwards into traffic they cannot see

Nurse Gladys

Totally agree with the above - I always reverse into a parking bay, and anyway, doesn't the highway code state you shouldn't reverse into a highway (such as from a driveway?)

Jaybird-UK

Skill issue aside (of course I can swing a car into a spot just like Russ Swift ) but the main reason for the rant was I sometimes take my disabled father down the seafront and he has to use a mobility scooter. I can see that being fun getting out the boot and setting up.

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

Having only driven through once is there not going to be any disabled parking available?

Diesel_DC

iTrader: (7)

Most of the disabled parking will be by the donut place near the casino on the 1st saturday of each month

Nate

iTrader: (2)

I think this sums up the majority of parkers on the UK roads :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OViQ...eature=related

Jaybird-UK

Well that didnt last long, in tonights Echo...

Yep, Southend council are spending £75grand to turn the bays around to face the other way!

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Just let the rest of the cliffs fall down and let the sea reclaim the place. Had it's heyday in the 1800's and the council haven't a clue that it's now the 21st century.

Nate

iTrader: (2)

I am totally against the parking bays being put the other way, if you cannot reverse park into a bay, you shouldn't be on the road.

I await many accidents to happen as motorists reverse out into oncoming traffic that can't be seen by them !

I think the council should have left the road as it was, and incorporated the cycle path into the (very) wide pavement, instead, they have restricted width along the seafront in such a way, that the bays have to be on an angle now for people to get parked.

mrs_b4

You miserable old b**tard! Chris

SirFozzalot

Went down the front with the family on Sunday and the parking is a joke! Can't believe how many people can't reverse park!

Loads of cars taking up 2 bays and witnessed 2 cars attempting to park and hitting cars parked next to them!

I made sure i went further down and parked in a kerb side parking bay!