What works well in Southend and what are the key challenges?

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In developing a new long term vision and strategy for Southend it is important to gain an appreciation of what works well in Southend and what are the key challenges facing the area.

Figure 5: Southend-on-Sea

Figure 5: Southend-on-Sea map

Figure 6: Strengths and opportunities

7 miles of coastline
32 parks, 36 play areas
Strong entrepeneurial culture. 86% of companies employ 10 staff or fewer
Employment growth sectors - digital, cultural and creative; healthcare technology; advanced manufacturingand engineering; and tourism
Growing visitor economy. 7m visitors per year
Expanding airport and business park
Hub for culture and higher education
Low car ownership. 1 car per household average
9 Railway stations
Frequent bus routes
Expanding cycle network
99% of all development in last 15 years on brownfield land

Figure 7: Challenges

Average house price 11x annual salary of Southend residents
2nd lowest housing stock growth of all cities* in UK
New housing mostly 1 and 2 bedroom flats
Poor connectivity for ultra-fast broadband compared with other cities*
Traffic congestion on major routes in the AM/PM peak
Low wage economy (those working in Southend)
Need to improve the skills base of residents
Overreliance of retail in the high street
10 years difference in life expectancy between residents of most and least affluent areas of Southend
1/3 Southend residents classed as physically inactive and at risk of ill health
Renewal and replacement of sea defences
Enhance the built and natural environment
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