- Shelter Refurbishment Secured: Southend Green Party has initiated the restoration of a derelict shelter on Marine Parade, following local complaints about its poor condition.
- Work Planned: Repairs will include timber restoration, replacing missing glass, and repainting in the new year, thanks to council action prompted by Green campaigner Simon Gittus and Cllr Stuart Allen.
- Future Projects: The Green Party is also working to restore another shelter along the cinder path, addressing delays caused by required permissions.
A neglected shelter along Marine Parade in Leigh-on-Sea is set to be restored following action by the Southend Green Party.
After concerns were raised in a local Facebook group about its deteriorating condition, Green campaigner and Leigh resident Simon Gittus took swift action by reaching out to Leigh ward councillor Stuart Allen.
“This shelter has been rotting away for far too long, and I’m delighted to have made a difference for residents. It’s the small, everyday improvements like this that truly enhance our community.
“Restoring the shelter will not only revive its charm but also make the area more welcoming for everyone. It’s a shame the West Leigh ward councillors overlooked the issue, but I’m glad we could step in and get things moving.”
Simon Gittus, Green Campaigner
Cllr Stuart Allen added: “As a councillor for a neighbouring ward, I’m always happy to help improve our shared spaces. I’ve secured a council survey of the shelter, and refurbishment work will begin soon. Plans include repairing the timber structure, replacing the missing glass, and repainting the shelter early next year. Fortunately, because the shelter is within the council-managed parks, the process has been relatively straightforward.”
Cllr Richard Longstaff also commented: “Working together as a Green team, we’re dedicated to ensuring Southend is a community we can all take pride in. While the Marine Parade shelter is a great win, we’re focusing on restoring another shelter along the cinder path. This project has been delayed due to permissions required from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), but we’re pushing hard to get it resolved.”
The refurbishment of the Marine Parade shelter marks another step in the Green Party’s ongoing efforts to enhance community spaces across the city.
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