Hockley Area Action Plan Submission Document

I'm possibly in the wrong area of the site, but these are comments relating to the Hockley area Action Plan. I've been a resident of the Rochford area for 32 years and have a business in the district for 39 years. I'm chairman of Hockley Chamber of Trade and was on the local original comitee for the Hockley Parish Plan. Firstly, Hockley is a large village with a strong community spirit. Many local residents are involved in community affairs. But the community is not well served by the quality of some of the local shops. The shopkeepers in turn are let down by the poor quality of many shop buildings. Eldon Way estate is largely a wasteland because industry has moved away. So leisure facilities sit next to empty delapidated units. Eldon Way is in reality just behind Spa Road Shops but currently a 10 minute walk away. Better access between the two would make sense and if this was a traffic-free walkway would be a useful addition. Hockley is often very busy with traffic and the crossing of Spa Road by Spa Pub is dangerous. A pedestrian crossing there would improve safety. Most residents do not want traffic lights at the Spa mini roundabout. A larger roundabout with island would make sense as it would slow traffic down when turning. The right turn on to Greensward Lane into Plumberow Ave is always a cause of congestion. Maybe a filter lane could be added to the junction. Hockley library car park is under-used because of 1) Very Poor Signage. Informative signs are needed both directions on Southend Road and also on Mian Road and Spa Road. 2) Car Park is too far away from the shops and accross a very busy road. Bus services are adequate i believe, but busses stopping cause delays in both directions on Spa Road. A large supermarket on Eldon Way would give the three existing supermarkets plus convenience store a very hard time resulting maybe in more empty premises in village centre. Affordable housing in village centre and surroundings is badly needed. Retirement units near to village centre and shops/station could encourage older residents to downsize freeing up for younger residents. Tree planting south side of spa road could disguise the poor appearance of the single storey units