Getting Southend Moving: Improving Public Transport for Everyone

Transport is the backbone of any thriving community, and in Southend it is also one of our biggest challenges. Congestion on the A127 and A13, unreliable bus services, unsafe cycling routes, and overcrowded trains all make daily life harder than it should be. The Southend Liberal Democrats believe that investing in public transport is investing in people.

Bus services in Southend have been in decline for years. Routes have been cut, frequencies reduced, and evening services all but eliminated on some lines. This hits elderly residents, shift workers, and those without cars hardest. We are campaigning for the council to use its enhanced partnership powers to secure better bus services, including restored evening and Sunday routes, real-time information at every stop, and integrated ticketing with rail.

Cycling should be a safe and practical option for short trips across Southend, but too many would-be cyclists are put off by dangerous roads and missing infrastructure. We want to see a comprehensive cycling network linking residential areas to town centres, schools, and the seafront, with protected lanes on busy roads and traffic-calmed routes through neighbourhoods. The Netherlands did not become a cycling nation overnight; it took political will and sustained investment. Southend can do the same.

Rail connections are vital for Southend economy and for residents who work in London or elsewhere. We welcome improvements to the c2c line and support campaigns for better Oyster integration, more frequent off-peak services, and improved stations at Southend Central and Southend East. Better rail means fewer cars on the road and cleaner air for everyone.

Walking is the most underrated form of transport. We want Southend to be a walkable town, with wider pavements, better lighting, more pedestrian crossings, and cleaner, greener streets. Our street surgery teams regularly hear from residents about poorly maintained footpaths and dangerous junctions. These are fixable problems if the council makes walking a priority.

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs to keep pace with demand. We support the rollout of on-street charging points in residential areas where off-street parking is not available, ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles is accessible to all Southend residents, not just those with driveways.

Finally, we must address the environmental impact of transport. Air pollution in parts of Southend exceeds legal limits, contributing to respiratory illness and premature deaths. We support the phased introduction of clean air measures, including low-emission zones around schools and town centres, and incentives for businesses to switch to electric delivery vehicles.