Have your say on the Three Rivers Trail

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is inviting the public to have its say on a European initiative to make green areas and public spaces in the town more accessible to residents and visitors.

The Council wants to create a network of green trails and spaces across the urban and rural areas of Southend and neighbouring Rochford as part of the EU’s Urban Habitats initiative.

The network, provisionally entitled the ‘Three Rivers Trail’, will link public rights of way, bridleways and cycle routes in the area enclosed by the Thames, Roach and Crouch rivers.

It aims to encourage people in south east Essex to access the area’s parks, natural green spaces, heritage sites, quiet estuary areas and vibrant seafronts in a more sustainable way.

If it gets the go-ahead the trail has the potential to be a major tourist attraction for walkers and cyclists wanting to explore the many historic and environmental sites in the area.

Outline plans for the trail are being exhibited for the first time at the Park Centre Nursery in Wakering Road, Southend, on Saturday 21st May and Sunday 22nd May.

Residents are encouraged to have their say at the exhibition, which will feature maps showing how pathways, cycle routes and bridleways could be linked together to form the trail.

There will be a second chance to see the exhibition when it moves to the Southend Pier Information Centre the following weekend, Saturday 28th May and Sunday 29th May.

Derek Jarvis, Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, urged residents to visit the exhibition and make their views known about the trial.

He said: "The Europe-wide Urban Habitats initiative is aimed at protecting and enhancing our open spaces and is fully supported by the Council.

“Our partners include organisations as varied as the Rotterdam Water Board, the Flemish Land Agency and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

“All these bodies have come together to share information and ensure that our green spaces are there for all to enjoy.

"I hope that as many people as possible will visit the exhibitions to see the various proposals for the trail and let us have some of their ideas for enhancing our green spaces."