Views sought on new coastal management scheme for Shoeburyness

December 4, 2018 by Southend Borough Council

The Shoeburyness community is being invited to have its say on a proposed scheme to protect the area from tidal flooding and coastal erosion.

Marine engineers have worked up four options for feasible coastal management schemes along the 2km stretch of coast between Thorpe Bay Yacht Club and the World War II Quick Battery. They now want local residents, businesses and community groups to learn more about them and give their feedback.

The aim of a new coastal management scheme would be to improve protection to residential properties, beach-front businesses, and critical infrastructure including roads, railway, and utilities services within the area.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will be hosting four public drop-in exhibitions at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club, where anyone can view the proposals and speak to the engineers who came up with them. They will also be able to officially comment on the proposals by completing a questionnaire.

You can also view the proposals, read the “Non-technical Summary” and complete the questionnaire by visiting www.bettersouthend.co.uk and selecting Shoeburyness Coastal Management Scheme. The

Cllr Helen Boyd, deputy cabinet member for public protection, said: “This area is an important tourist site, with Shoebury Common Beach awarded the Blue Flag beach award and the Quality Coast Award. It is also a major residential area and the site of important infrastructure, such a national cycle route and public rights of way that need to be protected. 

“Most coastal defences along the seafront are now getting quite old, having been initially constructed and developed between the 1920s and 1960s. This means that not only do they require more and more maintenance but they are not fit for the anticipated rise in sea levels and storms brought about by climate change.

“That’s why it is important that we act now to ensure that this important part of our coastline is adequately protected but in a way that is kind to the environment and is acceptable to the local community.

“We will collate all the feedback we receive, analyse it and use this to shape the final proposals so I hope that many local people will take up this exciting opportunity to have their say.”

Further details of these options can be found by visiting www.bettersouthend.co.uk and selecting Shoeburyness Coastal Management Scheme. 

Drop-in events will be held at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club, 115 Thorpe Bay Gardens, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 3NW on the following dates between 10am and 7pm:

·         Wednesday 12th December 2018
·         Thursday 10th January 2019
·         Tuesday 5th February 2019

You can also request hardcopy of the proposals and questionnaire by emailing bettersouthend@southend.gov.uk or calling 01702 215408