Sea wall works in Clacton to be completed next month (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Sea wall works in Clacton to be completed next month

6:30pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News

A £50,000 project to repair Clacton promenade will be completed next month.

Part of the cliff paths were closed off and a section of Lower Promenade was fenced off while specialist contractors undertook work earlier this year.

The urgent stabilisation works were required as the wall holds up the cliff face near to the town’s popular West Beach.

The works were carried out before the start of the visitor season, but the second phase of the project will now take place.

Pam Sambridge, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for technical services, said that an inspection in the spring revealed that the cliff retaining wall was showing signs of failure.

“A formal assessment confirmed the wall was unsafe and needed stabilising urgently,” she said.

“In the interests of public safety the cliff access paths were closed off and a specialist firm called in to install ground anchors.”

She said that once the area had been made safe the scheme stopped for the main holiday season.

“It was vital to stabilise the wall as there was a danger that it could collapse and the cliff follow behind it,” she added.

“But we were also very keen to minimise any impact of this project on our residents and visitors as it was close to one of our most popular beaches – which is why the work was carried out in two phases.”

The money for the scheme has come from the council’s seafront maintenance budget.