Southend Council is considering the possibility of establishing a park-and-ride service that would utilize the city's two railway lines, a move that aims to alleviate congestion during peak seasons. At a recent bus forum meeting held on March 18, 2025, council leader Daniel Cowan expressed skepticism about reviving the previous bus park-and-ride scheme, which was trialed in 2017 but ultimately abandoned due to low ridership.
“At this stage I can’t see any feasible site for a park-and-ride service for Southend,” Cowan stated during the meeting. Previously, the council had organized a service from the civic center to the seafront, which Cowan deemed relatively ineffective. He explained, “I think it was rather pointless because by the time people have got this far you might as well spend another two minutes in your car and park a bit closer to the seafront and have the convenience of having your vehicle and all your stuff nearby.”
One of the proposed alternatives included using railway car parks located at strategic points, particularly at stations served by the c2c and Greater Anglia lines. Many residents would prefer parking at facilities such as Pitsea, Rayleigh, or Basildon, then taking the train into Southend. Cowan acknowledged that the challenge with these potential sites is ensuring year-round operational effectiveness, as off-peak seasons would not generate sufficient passengers to justify the service.
“Other sites that have been proposed include sites near the Tesco roundabout. That also has the same challenges,” Cowan added, indicating that for a viable service to take root, it needs to be economically sustainable throughout the year.
Adding to the discussion, Conservative councillor Kevin Buck for Prittlewell ward urged Cowan to pursue the option of leveraging the rail networks more effectively. Buck emphasized, “One of the things as a council that we’ve looked into is utilizing the rail operators better to do a park-and-ride because Southend is well served by its two rail networks.”
The councilors are now looking at collaborating with the local railway operators to maximize the potential for a train-based park-and-ride service. Buck explained that the two rail infrastructures could transform existing car parks, which currently go underused during weekends.
“Let’s get them to park at Pitsea, Rayleigh or Basildon and just get the train in and out.” According to Buck, this will provide a seamless transit experience for commuters and visitors to the busy destination. He noted that train stations could function as drop-off points along the High Street, reducing traffic congestion in the town center.
The forum’s agenda for the next meeting will include inviting representatives from c2c and Greater Anglia rail lines to discuss potential collaborations further. This progressive approach towards public transportation could change how Southend approaches congestion and travel during peak tourist seasons.
As the council continues to grapple with transit challenges, the authorities are weighing the effectiveness of past proposals while exploring new solutions that better fit current demands. Cowan's acknowledgment that “Southend doesn’t have the road space at the moment without taking a lane from cars” highlights the pressing need for innovative transport strategies that could potentially fit within the limitations of existing infrastructure.
While some community members are skeptical about renewing park-and-ride discussions, the re-evaluation of transport options signals a desire for improvement. With the anticipated increase in visitors over the summer months, a working park-and-ride model that taps into the rail network may enable the city to manage peak times without overwhelming the infrastructure.
In conclusion, as Southend Council embarks on this rethinking of public transport solutions, the outcomes could set a new precedent for how cities handle similar issues across the United Kingdom. The collaborative spirit between local government and rail operators could indeed pave the way for a more efficient, traveler-friendly Southend.
