Southend seafront: Power to close road to cars echo-news.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from echo-news.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A PETITION to “Save Southend seafront” from another weekend of road closures has been launched by furious business bosses. The closure of Western Esplanade to stop car cruisers using the Golden Mile as a drag strip left businesses “empty” and sending staff home. Bosses have claimed that senior police officers told traders and councillors at a joint meeting on Monday that the seafront “doesn’t need to close”, due to the introduction of 50 police officers on the seafront this summer. The petition urges Southend Council not to re-introduce the seafront closure this weekend.
READ MORE: The Echo revealed plans for another illegal car meet on Saturday evening, just a week after another event was cancelled because of the road closure.
SOUTHEND Airshow could make return and once again be the jewel in the crown of the town’s events calendar - if enough cash can be raised. Replying to comments on social media, Southend Tory councillor Kevin Buck said the town “definitely needs to bring the airshow back”. He spoke after Southend Council announced a stage of the world-renowned cycle race, the Women’s Tour, would be coming to the seafront later this year. Mr Buck, councillor for Prittlewell, added: “I don’t see why we can’t get it back and I would support bring back the event. “It was a hugely supported event and it was great for the economy too and I think there are ways of getting funding so the council does not have to fit the bill.”