Following a decision made by Southend BID, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Anglian Water, regrettably, the fireworks display scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday 23 October) has been cancelled. This is to ensure public safety whilst Anglian Water continue their work to repair following a collapsed sewer pipe at their Water Recyling Centre
Anglian Water is continuing to tanker waste water away from the damaged pipe meaning they require constant access to Hartington Road., With large crowds expected at the firework event, along with additional vehicular traffic and congestion in the locality which could impede access to the site, the decision has been jointly made to cancel the event.
Cllr Ian Gilbert, leader of the council, said: “This decision has not been taken lightly, and we know there will be many people disappointed with this news as are we. Having considered all possible options that could potentially allow the event to continue, unfortunately, we need to put public safety at the forefront of our decision making, and as a group with Southend BID and Anglian Water, we have decided to cancel this weekend’s event.
“Whilst Anglian Water carry out their repairs in the area, we need to ensure the public highway is kept clear of all pedestrians and vehicular traffic so that the tankers have constant access to the site in order to main customer facilities and help protect the wider environment with the firework events being so well attended, there is no way we could keep access available for Anglian Water and keep the public safe.”
Mark Bartrip, chair of Southend BID, said: “We are of course very disappointed that we have had to cancel the fireworks this weekend at extremely short notice. However, public safety has to be our main priority and we have been working closely with the council and Anglian Water until the eleventh hour to come to this decision, that is unfortunately out of our control.”
