Southend Council is to ask the Government to foot the bill for damage caused by the Cliffs landslide with the amount expected to run into several million pounds.

At a behind-doors meeting of the council's cabinet, members decided on a financial package to fund work which is needed urgently following the major landslips last year.

Work on the Cliffs is expected to run into millions of pounds after the final assessment has been carried out by consultants.

The landslips led to the closure and virtual demolition of the bandstand, and no decision has yet been made on its future.

Council leader Charles Latham said: "We will be covering the costs up to the present time from the contingency fund.

"We will be applying to the Government for a grant to cover the full costs of all the remedial work which will be needed."

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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