Global Radio, the largest player in UK commercial radio, is set to re-brand local station Essex FM to “Heart” this June.

This UK-wide re-branding of stations to the “Heart” umbrella started in January 2009, and Essex FM will be one of the last stations to change its name. Once complete, 33 local radio stations will be “Heart” branded. More on the re-brands.

Essex Radio started in 1981 from a basement below Southend’s Clifftown Road. The company was owned by local businesses including department store Keddies, H.W Stones, Garons and T.O.T.S nightclub. The station’s changed hands a few times, and now broadcasts from Chelmsford.

After nearly 28 years, it seems seems “Essex” will be dropped from the station’s name in the next couple of months.

Sad to see “Essex” lose its identity? Looking forward to the new sound of “Heart”? Or have you moved on to listening to the newer local stations? Have your say below…

Users of the A127 ‘Arterial Road’ into Southend take note… The SPECS Average Speed Camera network is now live (April 2009).

As locals will know, the speed for the stretch of the dual carriageway approaching Southend recently dropped from 70mph down to 50mph, with average speed cameras in place to enforce this limit.

Essential safety solution, or a council money-maker? More discussion on the A127 50mph Speed Limit Protest Group on Facebook.

Doing our bit for citizen jornalism, we’re just back from the scene of what seems to be a fairly major fire on London Road, Leigh-on-Sea.

It seems that the blaze has hit the showroom of Mad Dogs & Englishmen at 1345 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, and Just Bikes at 1339 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea.

As of 19:55 on Sunday 05 April 2009, the fire is still blazing away. We saw at least six engines in attendance, including crew from Hadleigh, Leigh, Southend and Canvey Island. The aerial platform was also in use to fight the flames. The crews appeared to be drawing water from three different hydrants. We saw some of the crews donning breathing apparatus, and there were at least two ambulances in attendance.

According to initial reports, the fire may have started at Just Bikes, spreading to Mad Dogs. The petrol and oil at the rear of the bike shop, plus the paints and thinners at the furniture store had for a particularly nasty fire.

At the time of writing, the London Road remains closed between Elmsleigh Drive and Belfairs Drive, with a solid police cordon. Smoke and flames can be seen from quite a distance.

Lots of locals are in attendance to see what’s going on, and a fair few were snapping away on camera phones, capturing the scene for posterity.

As were we. Here are a few photos taken between 7 and 8pm:

Congrats to the emergency services for their hard work.

Contact us for images if required.