Southend seafront's dual-carriageway could be reduced to one lane each way to reduce traffic flow and curb the cruisers.

The scheme would provide room for open-air attractions and encourage Continental-style cafes with pavement seating.

Businesses and retailers welcomed the news. Many fear a major accident could happen unless the intimidating "boy racers" who parade their cars up and the down the Golden Mile late into the evening every weekend are curbed.

The cruisers weave in and out of two-lane traffic. This would be impossible if the road was single-carriageway.

John Harland, of the Westcliff Casino, said: "We will support any measures which will help to make the seafront safer for the community."

Tony North, executive member for leisure, culture and sport at Southend Council, said the proposal was aimed at bringing more people onto the seafront.

"It would encourage people to go down to the Golden Mile because they would not feel intimidated by the traffic down there."

Mr North said narrowing to one lane would create more parking spaces and room for retailers to offer further services.

Chief Insp Tony Rayner said police would welcome changes if it meant an improvement to road safety.

He said: "If there is a situation where the car park in the central reservation is moved to the side and the road brought down to single carriageway that would make safety an awful lot better.

"The hope is that it would have the spin-off effect of discouraging the fast cars which frequent that road."

By Samuel Smith

Reporter's e-mail: sam.smith@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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