Council leaders denied that hundreds of residents have been left in the dark over vital repairs to sea defences in Southend.

Work to renew the section of sea wall between Southend Pier and Thorpe Hall Avenue was due to begin last month under a timescale set by the former Liberal Democrat and Labour administration.

However, Peter Wexham, Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, asked the Tory administration at a meeting of Southend's full council why 900 residents had not been told the project had been put back until September 2001.

After the meeting, Mr Wexham (Lib Dem, Leigh) said: "There was a consultation in January telling them work was going to start this winter. Since then, the date has been moved but many people do not know.

"Residents have certainly been left in the dark on this. They are in an area at risk of flooding and deserve to have been kept fully informed."

A survey carried out by consultants Mouchel in 1997 revealed that the sea wall between the pier and Thorpe Hall Avenue could collapse if a "single severe storm" occurred.

The council said the date had been moved to "avoid disruption to the town and because of requirements from English Nature".

It is understood officers also plan to send out a letter to residents in January, informing them of the new timetable.

By Sam Smith

Reporter's e-mail: sam.smith@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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