Giant flood tanks begin arriving as Queensway works hit major milestone

July 2, 2026

A major milestone has been reached on the Better Queensway project, with the first sections of Southend’s new underground flood tanks now arriving on site in preparation for install.

The tanks will form part of a 750,000-litre flood defence system designed to protect seafront businesses from heavy rainfall.

In total, three tanks spanning 126 metres will be installed. Each tank measures around 42 metres in length and is made up of seven sections, each approximately 6 metres long - 21 sections in total.

Each tank weighs around 9.5 tonnes, highlighting the scale of the engineering now being delivered on site.

Alongside this, more than 2,000 tonnes of aggregate has already been delivered and is being used to begin filling the underpass.

Once installed, the tanks, each comparable in scale to a section of a London Underground tunnel, will temporarily store rainwater during heavy downpours, helping to reduce flood risk and disruption along the seafront.

They will also support future regeneration, ensuring new homes can be delivered alongside the infrastructure needed to manage rainfall effectively.

Delivered as part of wider highway improvements, the scheme will strengthen flood resilience while supporting future regeneration and investment in the city centre.

Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a really exciting milestone - seeing these huge tank sections arrive on site shows the scale of what’s now being delivered.

“These flood tanks are a major piece of engineering and mark real progress, helping to protect our seafront businesses, reduce flood risk and support the wider regeneration of our city, laying the foundations for new homes, investment and a stronger Southend for the future.”

The Better Queensway project is improving roads, drainage and public spaces, helping unlock new homes and investment, upgrading the town centre environment and tackling long-standing infrastructure issues - creating a place that residents and businesses can be proud of, now and in the years ahead.