On 18 March 2026, Southend-on-Sea City Council announced it is installing a 750,000-litre underground flood defence system in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. This project aims to provide long-term protection for businesses located along the seafront by managing heavy rainfall more effectively. The new system is designed to mitigate the risk of flooding shops and restaurants during extreme weather events.
The installation includes several large storage tanks buried beneath the ground that can hold the same amount of water as 15 family-sized swimming pools. These works are a major part of the wider Better Queensway project, which is a large-scale regeneration plan that includes roads and drainage . The council says these tanks will catch and hold rainwater before it can cause problems on the surface.
Council leader Daniel Cowan and cabinet member for regeneration Kevin Robinson explained that the project is a vital step in protecting the local economy and jobs. By addressing long-standing drainage issues, the council hopes to make the seafront more attractive for future development. The officials stated that these infrastructure upgrades are necessary to prepare the city for the impact of changing weather patterns.
Work on the tanks is currently moving forward, with the installation and connection expected to be finished by the summer of 2026. Once the underground work is complete, the ground will be filled back in so that construction can begin on a new roundabout in the area. This sequence of work ensures that the necessary flood protections are in place before the new road layout is built.
