Hockley Area Action Plan - Issues and Options

Our members and residents are concerned about the HAAP Issues and Options Report. We feel that we have not been given sufficient time to discuss this fully with our residents but we have prepared our initial findings. Please find attached our objections and comments in response as requested by the 30 April 2009.

In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre;

The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops.

Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site.


Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road.

We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided.

We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking.

If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way.

The entrance/exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities.

The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work.

The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 through traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road/Hockley Rise junction even worse.

The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park/library area.

Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.

Our members and residents are concerned about the HAAP Issues and Options Report. We feel that we have not been given sufficient time to discuss this fully with our residents but we have prepared our initial findings. Please find attached our objections and comments in response as requested by the 30 April 2009.

In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre;

The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops.

Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site.


Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road.

We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided.

We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking.

If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way.

The entrance/exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities.

The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work.

The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 through traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road/Hockley Rise junction even worse.

The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park/library area.

Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.

Our members and residents are concerned about the HAAP Issues and Options Report. We feel that we have not been given sufficient time to discuss this fully with our residents but we have prepared our initial findings. Please find attached our objections and comments in response as requested by the 30 April 2009.

In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre;

The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops.

Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site.


Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road.

We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided.

We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking.

If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way.

The entrance/exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities.

The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work.

The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 through traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road/Hockley Rise junction even worse.

The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park/library area.

Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.

Our members and residents are concerned about the HAAP Issues and Options Report. We feel that we have not been given sufficient time to discuss this fully with our residents but we have prepared our initial findings. Please find attached our objections and comments in response as requested by the 30 April 2009.

In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre;

The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops.

Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site.


Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road.

We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided.

We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking.

If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way.

The entrance/exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities.

The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work.

The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 through traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road/Hockley Rise junction even worse.

The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park/library area.

Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.

Our members and residents are concerned about the HAAP Issues and Options Report. We feel that we have not been given sufficient time to discuss this fully with our residents but we have prepared our initial findings. Please find attached our objections and comments in response as requested by the 30 April 2009.

In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre;

The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops.

Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site.


Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road.

We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided.

We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking.

If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way.

The entrance/exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities.

The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work.

The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 through traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road/Hockley Rise junction even worse.

The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park/library area.

Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.

Our members and residents are concerned about the HAAP Issues and Options Report. We feel that we have not been given sufficient time to discuss this fully with our residents but we have prepared our initial findings. Please find attached our objections and comments in response as requested by the 30 April 2009.

In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre;

The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops.

Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site.


Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road.

We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided.

We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking.

If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way.

The entrance/exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities.

The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work.

The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 through traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road/Hockley Rise junction even worse.

The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park/library area.

Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.