A NEW play attraction has been approved for one of the UK’s best remote beaches.
The new £600,000 inclusive playground at Shoebury’s East Beach in Southend will have themed zones inspired by the sea.
There will be a sandpit, climbing areas and a submarine structure in the middle of the playground.
The playground will be open to all age groups and abilities and include wheelchair-accessible swings, roundabouts and sensory features.
Reports from September also revealed that the playground will feature sit-on seals and colourful fish.
There will also be a sensory boardwalk lined with new trees being planted.
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According to the Echo, Tricia Cowdrey, Green Party candidate for Shoebury, said: “One of the attractions of this playground is that it is close to a beach.
“The steps and ramps nearby have suffered extreme wear and tear, and temporary flimsy fencing is a huge safeguarding concern.
“We ask that secure fencing be erected before the playground opens and that plans for accessible beach access be expedited.”
Work is currently underway to improve access to the beach, however it might not be finished in time for the opening of the playground.
Steven Wakefield, independent councillor for Shoebury Ward, also commented on the project, claiming that it is in the “perfect place, right next to the cafés.
He added that the project will mean that East Beach is no longer a “forgotten area of Shoeburyness”.
Works on the playground could begin in spring 2026.
Initial plans for a new playground were first introduced over three years ago.
And back in the summer, Beach House Cafe opened next door to the East Beach Cafe and marked the completion of a £2million regeneration project.
A recent visitor at the Beach House said: “Love it here! Come for brunch every weekend, drive up from London. Lovely beach setting, food is fresh, tasty & lush!
Over the summer, The Telegraph also named Shoeburyness as one of the top 20 destinations in Britain for the best secret and remote beaches.
The Telegraph stated: “Just three miles from the mayhem that is Southend in summer, Shoeburyness has two Blue Flag beaches that are far less well known.
“Its East Beach is the nicest and is popular with local paddleboarders and kitesurfers, thanks to its long strand of sand.”
In other coastal news, a popular UK seaside town scraps trains to London.
Plus, Victorian seaside town ranked ‘best for short break’ gets green light for £20m revamp in 10-year upgrade.