Part 1 of the complete Southernhay history, covering southernhay: origins & early development.
Southernhay was the first completed road within the area designated for Basildon's new town centre. It was formally opened in June 1957 by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Together with Roundacre becoming operational in 1958, the road helped make a through bus service between Laindon and Pitsea possible, with services stopping at the developing Basildon town centre.
The first permanent shop units on Southernhay were completed in 1959. The development was not entirely commercial: nine maisonettes were built in groups above shop units 59, 69 and 79. These formed part of the earliest residential accommodation actually within the town centre.
Southernhay quickly developed into more than a route around the town centre. Banks, furniture shops, fashion businesses, newsagents, restaurants, specialist retailers, estate agents, financial services, motor businesses and leisure venues all appeared along it. This mix made Southernhay one of the places where the practical day-to-day life of the New Town could be seen most clearly.
Historically, Southernhay connected with roads and areas whose layouts later changed substantially, including Nether Priors and Long Riding. The road's relationship with the bus station, railway corridor and later Eastgate development ultimately made it central to some of the biggest physical alterations made to Basildon town centre.