Latest news with #DavidBurton-Sampson
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's when condemned Chalkwell Station ramp will be demolished after closure
A 115-year-old ramp connecting Chalkwell Station and the beach will not be demolished until September after it was closed over safety concerns. The ramp was closed off to the public in March, sparking outcry from residents, and it was revealed it would be pulled down and replaced with plans drawn up as soon as possible. However, at a public meeting involving residents, Southend Council and Network Rail on Tuesday it was revealed demolition is not scheduled until September and temporary solutions are being worked on. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'There was an excellent turnout from the public, who have had concerns over access since its closure in March,' said Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, who was at Tuesday's meeting. 'Residents heard how the current ramp will be demolished over two weekends in September and temporary access should be completed by October. It is understandable the closure of the ramp has caused so much concern and I am glad to see progress is being made.' In the wake of its closure, businesses at the base of the Chalkwell ramp expressed fears they may lose out on spring and summer visitors due to a lack of easy access from the station. Packed - Dozens of residents descended on the Civic Centre to attend Tuesday's meeting (Image: David Burton-Sampson) Resident Zhanelya Subebayeva attended the packed-out meeting at Southend Civic Centre and said: 'It is good to have a glimpse of hope something may happen by September. 'I am looking forward to the plans being published and hopefully there will be another meeting soon.' Involved - David Burton-Sampson was one of those in attendance at Tuesday's meeting (Image: David Burton-Sampson) While the ramp remains out of action, residents access Chalkwell Beach via longer routes through The Ridgeway, Victory Path, Chalkwell Avenue and Chalkwell Esplanade. 'The meeting was informative and positive,' said Conservative councillor for Chalkwell, James Courtenay. 'The pressure needs to be kept up to get both a temporary solution and the new permanent ramp and stairs in place as soon as possible. 'Residents can rest assured the Chalkwell councillors will ensure this never falls far from the top of the Council's agenda.' Unsafe - The ramp was built using an early form of reinforced concrete (Image: Southend Council) Daniel Cowan, leader of the council, said: 'We outlined our timeline for the demolition of the condemned ramp and intention to restore temporary access by October and to continue to work on a permanent solution. 'We remain committed to moving forward as quickly and safely as possible.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MP talks to ministers over play-off tickets row
A Labour MP has contacted government secretaries of state and ministers over the limited number of tickets being sold for the National League play-off final next month. Southend United said it expected 30,000 of its fans to want tickets for the game against Oldham Athletic at Wembley on 1 June, but had been told it could only sell 17,500 due to safety concerns. No trains are due to stop at Wembley Park station on the day of the match because of planned engineering work. David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, said fans should "watch this space". "We are working behind the scenes to try and get this ridiculous situation resolved," he said. Southend United said on Friday that the decision was made "in order to allay safety concerns" because of the increased pressure expected on the nearby Wembley Central station, which is due to operate. But the club said it had communicated its dissatisfaction with Wembley Stadium, the National League, the Mayor of London's office and senior ministers. While it had been told to limit ticket sales to 17,500, the club said this cap did not include any packages sold with coach travel. The Shrimpers' said they had sourced 28 coaches, which could take sales up to 18,900. They said they would continue finding more coaches. "Our focus at present is finding solutions to the problems we have been presented with," a club spokesperson added. Transport for London (TfL) confirmed the Jubilee and Metropolitan Underground lines would also be affected on the day of the final. "We have been in communication with both sets of clubs and have asked them to inform their fans of the closures and to advise travelling by coach where possible," a TfL spokesman said. Last year's final where Bromley beat Solihull Moors had a crowd of 23,374. Southend said they expected the attendance record would be beaten this year. That record was set in 2015 when 47,029 saw Bristol Rovers beat Grimsby, when the division was known as the Conference. 'It's about time': Southend United fans on Wembley final Burton-Sampson has signed a joint letter with Southend-on-Sea City Council Labour leader Daniel Cowan, and fellow Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, Bayo Alaba. They wrote to various offices, and asked for the planned works at Wembley Park to be deferred or for the release of more tickets. "The fans of both clubs deserve to be able to cheer on their teams from the stands," the letter said. Former Southend, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and England striker Stan Collymore posted on X to say fans were being "unfairly punished". He claimed the ticket limitation would "probably not be implemented would this be a Premier League or England national team game". Addressing London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has responsibility for transport in the capital, Collymore said: "I'd be more than happy to set out a thousand reasons why it is important for both clubs to be fully represented at Wembley, and should only be afforded the same privilege as any club, namely to 'fill the damn place'." The Shrimpers Trust supporters group said in a statement: "Unfortunately, the excitement [of Oldham and Southend fans] has been trampled on by the seemingly-amateurish planning of several key stakeholders." The Echo newspaper in Essex and the Oldham Times have started a joint petition urging for a larger ticket allocation. Southend start selling their ticket allocation to season ticket holders from noon on Saturday, with the general sale beginning at 13:00 BST on Sunday. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Tube station closure to clash with Wembley final Maher praises 'energy and heart' of Southend players Oldham ready to 'finish job at Wembley' - Mellon Southend United FC Transport for London
