Southend fireworks cancelled

A collapsed sewer is to blame

Author: Sharon PlummerPublished 23rd Oct 2021

A collapsed sewer has led to the cancellation of tonight's (23 October) fireworks display on Southend seafront.

Southend BID has made the announcement saying it's down to Anglian Water continuing to work on repairing the site at their Water Recycling Centre. The company is continuing to tanker waste water away from the damaged pipe, meaning they require constant access to Hartington Road.

With large crowds expected at the firework event, along with additional vehicular traffic and congestion in the locality which could impede access to the site, the decision has been jointly made to cancel the event.

Cllr Ian Gilbert, leader of the council, said:

“This decision has not been taken lightly, and we know there will be many people disappointed with this news as are we. Having considered all possible options that could potentially allow the event to continue, unfortunately, we need to put public safety at the forefront of our decision making, and as a group with Southend BID and Anglian Water, we have decided to cancel this weekend’s event.

“Whilst Anglian Water carry out their repairs in the area, we need to ensure the public highway is kept clear of all pedestrians and vehicular traffic so that the tankers have constant access to the site in order to main customer facilities and help protect the wider environment with the firework events being so well attended, there is no way we could keep access available for Anglian Water and keep the public safe.”

Mark Bartrip, chair of Southend BID, said:

“We are of course very disappointed that we have had to cancel the fireworks this weekend at extremely short notice. However, public safety has to be our main priority and we have been working closely with the council and Anglian Water until the eleventh hour to come to this decision, that is unfortunately out of our control.”

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