The Government’s national housing and regeneration agency, The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), has confirmed funding for the resort’s City Beach scheme.

The two-year programme of work, aimed at encouraging visitors to make more use of the town’s beach and stay longer in the area, will start early in the new year.

State-of-the-art lighting

Whitelaw Turkington's (part of the Grontmij group) involvement is centred on six 100ft state-of-the-art lighting columns which the council hopes will transform the Marine Parade area by extending daytime into the evenings.

Residents and visitors will also have access to a new landscaped public area with a lively  fountain. There will also be improved access to the beach, new footpaths, improved provision for cyclists and better toilet facilities.

Award-winning designs

The council’s successful bid for Government backing was assisted by the regeneration company Renaissance Southend, at a time when many schemes in other parts of the Thames Gateway have been put on hold due to the recession.

Whitelaw Turkington was appointed to the Southend scheme for their sensitivity to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike, qualities they have demonstrated with their award winning designs for Ashford town centre in Kent, where they have revolutionized the road layout by introducing a Shared Space scheme. They are also well known for their landscaping for the O2 in Greenwich and are currently working on a major scheme for Shepherd’s Bush Green.