Disappointed residents are facing more disturbed nights after councillors refused to close a number of Canvey footpaths.

Locals of Amid Road, Dovervelt Road and Komberg Crescent have been the victims of drunken youths, who run down the paths at night, keeping people awake and sometimes even vandalising their property.

However, only 62 per cent of residents asked Castle Point Council to close the paths, which are vital for elderly people in the area, who use them as a short-cut for their daily shop.

At a meeting of the council's highways committee Doug Roberts (Con, St James') said: "Roads and footpaths are for people to use. If you close them you are giving in to the unruly element. We should stop the unruly element rather than stop people walking through their right of way."

However, Ray Howard (Con, Canvey West) said he had received disturbing letters from residents who had been the victims of the "unruly behaviour".

He told the council: "It is unacceptable people are living like this. The situation here is one we should think twice about but we must not have people feeling threatened or their properties vandalised."

Brian Wilson (Lab, St Mary's) suggested the pathways should only be closed at night. He said: "The problems are mainly at night. Is there no possibility of having the paths closed at night?"

Members heard they could face legal difficulties if they tried to close the paths. Director of technical services at the council Nigel Thomas said: "Both these alleyways have highway rights and any closure will require legal procedure.

"Given the number of residents who disagree with the closure proposal, it is very unlikely this legal procedure would be successful."

The issue will be referred to the council's community safety committee and officers will investigate what the council can do to help the residents.

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