Cycle News Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Southend Seafront Cycle Route

Southend Proposed Cycle Network
After extensive consultation the Council proposed cycle network has now been agreed and approved by Cabinet. The network connects several hundred destinations including all transport interchanges, centres of employment, shopping areas, the majority of schools, leisure centres, tourist attractions, open space and all environmental rooms. The map of the proposed network can be downloaded from this page. See related documents.

Southend Seafront Cycle Route
Background to Seafront Cycle Route
Southend-on-Sea is located on the Thames Estuary some 40 miles to the east of London. A thriving tourist destination, particularly with "day-trippers", Southend is ideal for cycling along the seafront for leisure and for journeys to work and school. The flat landscape and low rainfall mean that the Southend Seafront Cycle Route has become a very popular location for cycling for all ages.

In 1996, a consultation showed that an increasing number of cyclists were using the seafront 'promenade' for cycling, often conflicting with pedestrians. The opportunity was taken to include this route as a major part of the town's evolving cycle network. The route is now a very important part of the extensive Sustrans 'National Cycle Network' Thameside Route.

Southend is part of the "Thames Gateway" priority for regeneration and the focus for public and private investment. The Seafront Cycle Route is both an important local route for shorter journeys and part of a much larger regional route with links to Castle Point, Canvey Island, Basildon and beyond in the Thames Gateway South Essex and London areas.

The Seafront Cycle Route
Monitoring of the cycle route since 1999 has shown consistent use, with average daily flows of 230 cyclist per day, over 400 on a Sunday and over 750 on a Bank Holiday Monday. Reduced traffic speeds on the adjacent carriageway have been recorded, due to the road safety speed reduction features incorporated into the scheme. The seafront cycleway off-road section of Route 16 extends from east of the seafront amusement area to Shoeburyness. The Seafront Cycle Route Section has been built in three phases with the latest part being completed in July 2002, extending the route to some 3.5km of cycleway. Key features are high quality paving and surfacing, cycle stands, specially designed kerb drainage, raised bus boarders (for the seafront bus services), new lighting and CCTV ducting for the extension of the town's camera system.


The route is now in daily use - for work, allowing rapid access to Southend town centre and leisure. Quality materials have been used. Granite setts from old tramways, unearthed during construction, have been re-used. Old kerbstones have been used in adjacent planting schemes.

The 'Blue Peter Bikeathon' sponsored bike ride has been staged for two years running along the seafront cycle route, with over 300 children and 100 adults enjoying an introduction to seafront cycling within the safety of the route. The opening of Phase 2 of the seafront route in June 2001 coincided with the purchase of a Mobile Cycle Unit, enabling cycle training to be delivered to an increased range of children and contributing to Southend's policy of social inclusion.

Recent meetings with Sustrans have led to further funding being made available through the 'Thames Gateway' project for signing and publicity material. This will lead to the promotion of the route more widely to encourage visitors to the town who wish to enjoy this excellent facility.

National Cycle Network Route Numbers
The National Cycle Network will generally be fully signed, using a system modelled on the Danish cycle network. These signs show the route number of the section you are on. You will see these route number signs along sections of the National Cycle Network, on their own or incorporated into other signs along the route. In this area the primary routes are 13 and 16 Sustrans and the National Cycle Network.

Sustrans – the sustainable transport charity – works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport in order to reduce motor traffic and its adverse effects.

5000 miles of their flagship project, the National Cycle Network, were officially opened in June 2000. This will be increased to 10,000 miles by 2005. One third of the network will be on traffic-free paths, the rest will follow quiet lanes or traffic-calmed roads. It is co-ordinated by the charity Sustrans, with the generous support of over 450 local authorities and other partners. For more information on routes in your area, contact:

Sustrans
35 King St
Bristol
BS1 4DZ
Tel: 0845 113 0065