DEVELOPERS behind plans to transform Southend town centre have hit back at widespread criticism of the scheme.

While residents and councillors alike have welcomed the launch of a public consultation on the Queensway project – which will see tower blocks demolished and 1,650 new homes built to replace them – there has been a chorus of disapproval of plans to scrap the underpass.

Instead, plans show all traffic between Victoria Gateway and the seafront will have to negotiate the Porters Grange roundabout.

Geoff Pearce, chairman of Porters Place Limited Liability Partnership, comprising Southend Council and Swan Housing, said: “We recognise that, regardless of the huge benefits which the transformation of the Queensway Estate will clearly bring to both local people and Southend as a place, the scale of the regeneration and what is proposed may cause concerns, particularly around the impact of changes to the wider road network.

“However, there are clear examples of where the kinds of changes we have proposed for the Queensway have successfully transformed roads with much higher levels of traffic, creating an environment which works for cars but is also better for pedestrians and cyclists too.”

Mr Pearce added: “As the developer of the project, our interest is in transforming the Queensway area into a better place to live work and play. We wouldn’t be investing £500mllion in the area if we thought that our plans would have an adverse impact on the area or make the traffic position worse for Southend.

“Our road proposals will not be finalised until we have proven, through our technical analysis, that the transformation we are proposing will be of real benefit to the town.”

The proposals include using the underpass to site a large underground tank to collect floodwater during downpours in order to the protect the seafront.

Mr Pearce said: “Any benefits around floodwater attenuation were mentioned as an ancillary benefit.

“Our proposals have been carefully considered and take the best from many such schemes and will change the Queensway and Southend for the better whilst also ensuring we can transform the isolated Queensway estate into a thriving community providing new well-designed homes, high-quality new public realm including parks and a new plaza for Southend Victoria Station.”