Flood and heat resilience plan for Southend High Street

Southend-on-Sea City Council is drawing up plans to make its High Street more people-friendly and climate-resilient including features such as rain gardens.

The wider programme will introduce planting, places to rest, shade and features that help break up the long stretch of the High Street. “It has also been designed with climate?conscious thinking in mind, ensuring the High Street can cope with both heat and heavy rain while remaining attractive and usable all year round,” the council said.

The city centre is in the upper catchment area that drains toward the seafront. As an integral part of the new design, rainwater will be collected to feed plants, with the aim of reducing pressure on the drainage system and helping prevent flooding.

By capturing rainwater naturally, supporting wildlife and adding more greenery to the street, these features will “help the High Street feel more welcoming while also making it better prepared for changing weather”, a council spokesperson told LTT.

“These improvements add to the flood?management measures already installed along London Road and Victoria Circus, further reducing flood risk in the central area.

“The High Street is already pedestrian only, and this proposal will not change that. There will be no alterations to kerb lines, and emergency service access will remain the same.”

More detailed designs are being developed, with a detailed layout, planting plans and final features to be unveiled later this year.

Once the design phase is complete, the main construction works are due to begin in the winter. “These works will bring more nature, better seating and improved public spaces into the heart of the city, creating a greener, more accessible and more enjoyable High Street for all,” said the spokesperson.

Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “Investment in the High Street, the Better Queensway project, major events such as CityJam and City Day, and new hotel developments all show Southend’s ambition.”

Find out more about rain gardens at Climate Resilient Streets: https://www.landorlinks.uk/crs-2026