Southend-on-Sea
| Borough of Southend-on-Sea | |
|---|---|
| |
| Geography | |
| Status: | Unitary, Borough |
| Region: | East of England |
| Ceremonial County: | Essex |
| Area: - Total |
Ranked 314th 41.76 km² |
| Admin. HQ: | Southend-on-Sea |
| Grid reference: | TQ883856 |
| ONS code: | 00KF |
| Demographics | |
| Population: - Total (2004 est.) - Density |
Ranked 97th 159,600 3,822 / km² |
| Ethnicity: | 95.8% White 1.7% S.Asian |
| Politics | |
 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council http://www.southend.gov.uk/ | |
| Leadership: | Leader & Cabinet |
| Executive: | Conservative |
| MPs: | David Amess, James Duddridge |
Southend-on-Sea is a seaside resort and unitary authority in the East of England. The borough of Southend-on-Sea is part of the ceremonial county of Essex and is located on the north side of the Thames estuary roughly 40 miles (65 km) east of London. It is bordered to the north by Rochford and to the west by Castle Point.
History
Originally the south end of the village of Prittlewell, Southend became a popular seaside resort for Londoners during the Victorian era. Owing to its proximity to London and easy access by train, the town's economy has largely been based on tourism ever since. Southend Pier is the world's longest pleasure pier at 1.34 miles (2158 metres). Over the years the pier has suffered fires and ship collisions, most recently in October 2005.
With the decline of traditional British sea-side resorts, from the 1960s onwards much of the centre of Southend was developed as a centre of commerce, and many of the original features of this once-attractive Victorian seaside town were destroyed through redevelopment or neglect. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, formerly Customs and Excise, are major employers in the town, and the central offices for the collection of VAT are located there. Southend recently opened its new university aimed at boosting the town's flagging economy. Many Southend residents commute into London, which may account for the town's entertainment and cultural attractions being relatively under-developed, compared to towns of a similar population and demographic composition. However the town does have its dark points.
Local and National Government
Borough Council
The Borough of Southend-on-Sea was the only tier of local government as a county borough from 1914 until the local government reorganisation of 1974, when it became a borough within the county of Essex. In 1998 it again became the single tier of local government when it became a unitary authority.
There are currently 17 wards each returning three councillors, making a total of 51. Councillors serve a three year term. The current composition is as follows.
| Affiliation | Councillors | |
| Template:British politics/party colours/Conservative| | Conservative Party | 31 |
| Template:British politics/party colours/Labour| | Labour Party | 9 |
| Template:British politics/party colours/Liberal Democrat| | Liberal Democrats | 7 |
| Independent |
4 | |
The council is thus controlled by the Conservative Party. Most day to day decisions of the council are made up of a 10 member executive cabinet headed by the council leader. The current leader is Anna Waite.
The town's coat-of-arms bears the motto 'Per Mare Per Ecclesiam' which translates into 'By the Sea and By the Church', reflecting Southend's historic position between the Church at Prittlewell and the sea as in the Thames estuary.
The town is twinned with the resort town of Sopot in Poland. Sopot is the location of the longest wooden pier in Europe, while Southend is the location of the longest iron pleasure pier in the world.
Members of Parliament
Southend is represented by two MPs at Westminster.
The MP for Southend West has been, since 1997, David Amess (Conservative) who replaced Paul Channon.
Since the 2005 General Election the MP for Southend East and nearby Rochford has been James Duddridge (Conservative), who replaced the long serving MP Sir Teddy Taylor. Despite its name the majority of the constituency is in Southend, Rochford makes up only a small part and the majority of Rochford District Council is actually represented by the MP for Rayleigh.
Both seats are considered to be "safe seats" for the Conservative Party
Transport
Railways
Southend is served by two railway lines. A branch of the Great Eastern Railway, currently operated by One runs between Southend Victoria railway station and Liverpool Street railway station via Rochford, Rayleigh and Billericay.
The other line, the London Tilbury & Southend Railway, currently operated by c2c runs from Shoeburyness in the east of the borough, west through Southend Central railway station to Fenchurch Street railway station via Benfleet, Basildon or Tilbury and Barking. Two services each weekday evening terminate at Liverpool Street instead.
Road
There are two main A-Roads connecting Southend with London and the rest of the country, the A127 (The Southend Arterial Road), via Basildon and Romford, and the A13, via Tilbury and London Docklands. Both are major routes, however within the borough of Southend, the A13 is primarily a single carriageway local route, whereas the A127 is entirely a dual carriageway. Both roads lead to the M25.
Buses
Local public transport is served by two main bus companies, Arriva, Serving Southend (formerly the council owned Southend Transport) and First Thamesway (formerly known as Eastern National). An agreement between the companies means that they will accept each other's return tickets and local rovers, although many users have found that this depends on the driver. They jointly operate a coach service to Victoria Coach Station under the Greenline brand. There is also a National Express coach service to Liverpool, which operates daily.
Southend Airport
London Southend Airport supports scheduled flights to Jersey on summer Saturdays. The new terminal and rail station planned for 2006 operation will almost certainly lead to a greater range of destinations becoming available from the airport. Discussions are already being held with interested airlines. Developed from the former military airfield at Rochford it also supports an important mix of engineering activities related to aviation and pilot training, corporate and recreational flights, as well as being home to Avro Vulcan bomber XL426.
Education
Secondary Schools
In 2004 Southend remained one of the areas of the UK that retain the grammar school system and has four schools of this type: Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls, Westcliff High School for Boys and Westcliff High School for Girls. Additionally there are two single sex schools assisted by the Roman Catholic church: St Bernards High School for Girls and St Thomas More High School. Both of these, while not technically grammar schools, contain a grammar stream; entrance to these streams is gained by passing the same entrance exam as the grammar schools. The other 6 main-stream secondary schools in the area are all mixed sex comprehensive schools.
Further and Higher Education
A number of secondary schools in the area offer further education, but the largest provider of further education is South East Essex College [1], Located in a new building in the centre of town.
Currently SEEC offer a limited number degree course matriculated by the University of Essex. The university's centre in the town is currently a single building on the High Street [2]. The University, however, is building its own centre in Southend, located next to the new College campus on the site of the old Odeon cinema. The University notes that 'South Essex is probably the largest conurbation in the country without a significant higher education presence'. This development will change this.
Entertainment and Culture
Seafront Attractions
The town is well known for its seafront attractions. Since 1986, a diesel-hydraulic railway has been running the length of the famous pier, replacing the original electric service which opened in 1890. A fire in September 2005 seriously damaged the pier.
The Kursaal was one of the earliest theme parks, built at the start of the 20th century. It closed in the 1970s and much of the land was developed as housing. The entrance hall, a listed building, is now a bowling alley arcade (operated by Megabowl) and casino.
Another newer theme park, Adventure Island, straddles the pier entrance. It is a popular attraction for both adults and children, and despite a restriction on available land has continued to grow into a large amusement park with over 50 rides. The sea front also houses the "Sea-Life Adventure" aquarium.
The cliff gardens and Victorian bandstand were a popular attraction until slippage in 2003 made parts of the cliffs unstable, and the bandstand has been removed for safe keeping. The council has expressed its desire to re-erect the bandstand but a suitable location has yet to be found.
A modern cliff lift links the base of the High Street with the new pier entrance. The older cliff lift, a short funicular railway, is located a few hundred metres away, now closed due to the cliff slippage.
Theatres
There are three theatres in the town.
The Edwardian era Palace Theatre is a grade II listed building built in 1912. Due to financial troubles the theatre is currently closed. It formerly showed plays from professional troupes and repertory groups, as well as some comedy acts. The theatre has two circles and is noted for having a very steep rake. Part of the theatre is a smaller venue called "The Dixon Studio". This was used for more intimate performances.
The Cliffs Pavilion is a larger building and is able to host different forms of show including musical concerts, and performances on ice.
The final and most recent theatre is the New Empire Theatre. It is, unlike the other two theatres, privately owned. It is used far more by amateur dramatic groups. The theatre was converted from the former ABC Cinema, which itself was originally a theatre, built in 1896. Therefore, as well as being Southend's newest theatre it is arguably the oldest as well.
Sport
Southend boasts one football team of league stature, Southend United, which currently competes in the Coca Cola Football League One (the third highest division of the English football league system) and is managed by former player Steve Tilson.
There are 2 rugby clubs in town with a nationwide profile, Southend R.F.C. and Westcliff R.F.C., with Southend having the superior men's first team (playing in National Division 3 South) but Westcliff having the more developed youth set up.
Cricket is played at Southend by Essex County Cricket Club twice a year usually, but otherwise the only cricket in Southend is local league Cricket.
Notable people brought up in Southend
- James Bourne, singer/guitarist in Son Of Dork and previously in Busted.
- Lee Evans, comedian
- Robin Trower and Gary Brooker, guitarist and vocalist of Procol Harum
- Kevin Bowyer, concert organist
- Alex McNamara, comedian
See also
Towns within the Borough of Southend
Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, Westcliff-on-Sea
