SOUTHEND Council has denied claims plans still exist to turn Queensway into single-lane carriageway.

The Echo carried a report on Friday after asking questions about future proposals for Queensway.

It came after various recommendations were made by consultants in a new parking and access strategy.

The report by the consultants said: “Building on the more people-friendly road layout at Southend Victoria station and the Better Queensway proposals, there is scope to continue improvements to Queensway to make a more user-friendly pedestrian/cycle boulevard in place of the existing vehicle-oriented dual carriageway design.”

We asked leading councillor Mark Flewitt whether this meant plans for single-lane traffic in Queensway who told us the plan was still being considered. While stressing it was part of a debate and would need consultation, he confirmed it was “still on the table”.

On Friday night, the council issued a statement, insisting council policy was clear – that Queensway will not have single-lane traffic.

The statement said: “Cllr Andrew Moring, cabinet member for infrastructure, has set the record straight and stated that this is not the case.”

He said: “The council’s is committed to four lanes – two in each direction - remaining in place in any future designs for Queensway. Absolutely nothing has changed. That commitment remains in place.

“We have made keeping four lanes an absolute and mandatory requirement for any future development partner. That is what is clearly stated in our procurement documents.

“The report discussed in the Echo article, by transportation advisors Steer Davies Gleave, does not refer to any change in council policy in respect of Queensway.

“It is time to kill off these rumours of single-lane traffic.”

On Friday it was reported in the Echo the plan could be resurrected.

The option was first put forward by council officers with plans for the £300million development of the Queensway estate.

It was dismissed by councillors in April last year however, after a backlash from businesses and seafront traders who feared further gridlock on sunny days when scores of drivers use the road to get to the seafront.

n Southend Council made no complaint to the Echo following our piece on Friday.

Instead, it issued the statement on social media and later sent it to us.