THIS is a glimpse into the future of Southend seafront as part of a £7million spruce-up project.

The City Beach scheme, which has led to roadworks all over the seafront for the past three months, is expected to be completed in March next year.

The scheme will cover the area from the Sea Life Adventure car park to Adventure Island with a wide promenade, which will be illuminated by six 100ft-tall, futuristic lamp posts.

There will also be a fountain by the Pebbles cafe, trees and a new cycle path.

At the moment, the area is swarming with workers, machinery and fencing, but a glimpse of what is in store lies at the junction of Marine Parade and Hartington Road.

The area has been fully paved and raised in preparation to become a space shared between cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

At the moment workers are paving the area outside the shops and arcades on the north side of Marine Parade.

Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for transport, said: “I think it looks really smart. I’m looking forward to it being finished. This will transform the seafront. It’s a concrete heaven at the moment, but it will be nicely paved with wooden decking in places.

“The widened promenade will be the main advantage of the scheme. It will make it a really pleasant place to have a stroll.

“And it should give more opportunities and space for local traders to put out tables and chairs.”

Mrs Waite said work on the new promenade will begin in the summer. It will be widened over the existing road. The central reservation has already been removed so both road lanes will be squeezed together.

Mrs Waite said: “Nobody could use the great big central reservation. We are getting a tremendous amount back for pedestrians and cyclists.”