Road plans which have caused a storm of protest in Southend are to be finally decided by a Government inspector at a public inquiry, it was revealed today.

Because of the number of objections to the £8million plans for widening Priory Crescent, transport secretary Alistair Darling has decided to hold an inquiry into the council's compulsory purchase orders for land it needs to complete the work.

In the spotlight - traffic in Priory Crescent

Objectors have claimed the multi-million pound scheme will cause severe damage to Priory Park, one of the town's major green lungs.

The council on the other hand say that no land will be taken from the park and the area will be enhanced when the work is completed, with any trees which have to be felled being replaced on a two-for-one basis.

The road will also cut through a small area of open space, which is currently landscaped alongside the Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria rail line.

Protesters claim this land forms part of Priory Park and should not be touched.

Shaun Qureshi, spokesman for Parklife, a presure group which has held demonstrations against the scheme and collected thousands of signatures opposing it, said: "We are delighted that there is to be a public inquiry into this road scheme."

Published Monday, June 30, 2003

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