RESIDENTS are being warned sea defences in Tendring could collapse this winter due to a lack of investment.
Tendring Council is warning if millions of pounds is not spent soon homes and roads could be under threat.
The council says £24 million is urgently needed to save the sea walls between Clacton and Holland-on-Sea.
Harry Shearing, the council's technical services portfolio holder, said even if the weather is reasonable this winter there will be failings along the coastline.
A council report says it could eventually lead to the loss of roads and houses on stretches of unsupported sea wall, which could collapse.
"We have a detailed agenda that highlights the serious concerns the head of service and myself feel we are in," he said. "It isn't a measure we could take up, and for Tendring to borrow this money would be foolish.
"It is a responsibility of central Government."
Mr Shearing said the £24 million project would have bolstered sea defences for decades and led to the creation of a continuous beach from Clacton Pier to Holland-on-Sea, which he claims would be beneficial for regeneration and tourism.
Mr Shearing said: "Defra visited our area and said at present it can't see a way forward to afford our scheme.
"It can do a number of interim makeshift schemes costing about £1.2 million.
"But when talking about sea defences that's a small amount of money, and in my views that's just papering over the cracks. We are in a very serious situation.
"The smaller schemes will give some security, but again I see the only thing that will save our area will be the £24 million scheme."
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