- Cinder Path Shelter restored – after nearly 5 years fenced off, the historic seafront shelter is finally open again.
- Greens pushed for action – Councillor Richard Longstaff kept up pressure to get the project finished.
- Back for the community – a shaded spot for walkers and families.
The long-awaited restoration of Leigh’s Cinder Path Shelter is finally complete, and Green Party Councillors are celebrating its reopening after years of setbacks.
The shelter, a much-loved seafront landmark, has been fenced off for nearly five years after the collapse of the original contractor and delays in securing a licence from the Marine Management Organisation. Work has taken four months to finish, following years of community pressure to get the project moving again.
Leigh Ward Councillor Richard Longstaff, who has championed the project since being elected in May 2023, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the shelter finally finished and looking magnificent. I’ve been pushing hard to get this rebuilt, and I’m pleased that some of the design improvements I suggested have been included in the final result. Whether it’s restoring the Cinder Path Shelter, securing repairs for the Marine Estate Shelter, or pushing for footpaths in Chalkwell Park to be fixed – we get things done. Residents can trust us to keep delivering on the things that matter to them.”
Councillor Stuart Allen, leader of the Green Group on Southend Council, added:
“It’s wonderful to see families and friends enjoying the shelter again. My thanks go to the council officers and local businesses who’ve worked so hard over the past months to restore it and make it look fantastic.”
The restored shelter reopened on the weekend of the 21st August and provides a shaded spot for walkers and families, offering great views of the Estuary.
– ENDS –