This direction gets neither to Southend (5)

I believe the answer is:

north

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'this direction' is the definition.
(compass direction)

'neither to southend' is the wordplay.
'neither' becomes 'nor' (eg in the phrase 'neither do I').
'to southend' becomes 'th' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'nor'+'th'='NORTH'

'gets' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for north that I've seen before include "who is opposed to East-West partnership?" , "Compass point at 0 or 360 degrees" , "Lord -, PM; bearing" , "Prime Minister" , "One looking for contract" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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