SOUTHEND Council has U-turned on plans to overhaul the way traffic flows through the town following a public backlash.

In order to maximise space for homes on the site of the new £300million Queensway estate, the authority plans to get rid of Porters roundabout - which currently links both ends of Southchurch Road and gives access to the seafront and Victoria Avenue.

The Queensway underpass, which is currently a dual carriageway, was set to be turned into a single carriageway - but the proposals have now been reversed.

It comes following objections from opposition councillors and seafront traders, who feared the changes would keep visitors away from the town and cause traffic chaos.

Tony Cox, Tory councillor responsible for transport, made a late amendment to a report before it went before a full council meeting.

He offered assurances that the road will remain a dual carriageway and that seafront traders and the Southend Business Improvement District (BID) will be given the opportunity to consult on the final layout before it is signed off.

Mr Cox said: “This was prompted by representations that were made to me by other members and seafront traders.

“When I was re-elected, I said I was going to do things differently - that is listening and taking on board what is said.

“If something isn’t right then of course we will address it. We all want the same thing.

“The plans will go through the council system and all 51 members will be able to input their ideas.

“The seafront traders and BID will be able to consult on the traffic plans and the whole scheme will be open to public consultation.”

Independent councillor Martin Terry, who was responsible for transport in the previous administration, welcomed the announcement. He said: “This U-turn is very embarrassing for the officers involved. They are running the show now unlike when we were in office. They wanted to slip this through the back door and it’s only because I called it before full council that this amendment has happened.”

Paul Thompson, chairman of the Seafront Traders Association, sat in the public gallery during the meeting.

He said: “This was a move by officers to take power from elected members and the council put a stop to it. I want to thank the councillors from all parties who saw sense and decided to amend the plans.

“It sends a loud and clear message to officers that the business community will work against the policies that will be detrimental to the town.”