Clacton, Holland-on-Sea: Sea defences are set to fail (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Clacton, Holland-on-Sea: Sea defences are set to fail

9:50am Thursday 1st November 2007 in News By James Dwan

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."