WORKS are underway to revamp a car park to create more than 200 parking bays and a greenery area.

The project to improve Southchurch Park East car park is set to last five weeks.

The car park is currently gravel-surfaced, with lots of potholes and it doesn't have marked bays and can only fit a limited number of vehicles.

The work, which was approved by Southend Council’s Development Control Committee on Wednesday June 3, will see the current parking area resurfaced in tarmac and 224 parking bays marked out. The work is taking place within the same footprint at the current car park, so no green space will be lost. As part of the project, a number of electric charging points will also be installed.

Eleven of the parking bays will be designated “dual purpose” to accommodate overspill coach parking for the council’s designated coach parking at the Gasworks car park.

Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, capital and inward investment, said: “This car park has needed work for some time now so it is pleasing to see work now underway.

“The improved layout will benefit not only visitors to Southchurch Park East and our Green Flag Southchurch Park opposite it, but also local parents who use the car park for the school. It will also provide additional parking for seafront visitors to support our messaging around enjoying the entire length of the seafront and beach, rather than just the popular Golden Mile.

“I would stress that the additional spaces are being created by layout parking, we are in no way encroaching onto any existing green space."