A short section of the Lower Promenade at Holland-on-Sea will need to remain closed to vehicles this summer on safety grounds.

Due to ongoing erosion threatening the stability of the seawall in this particular area Tendring District Council (TDC) had no option but to shut of the area in 2007.

The stretch concerned is from Hazelmere Road to the Esplanade and it will stay off limits to vehicles until the situation is resolved.

It is not possible to guarantee safe access to the area and therefore the ban will have to remain in place until further notice.

The ban will affect a small number of beach hut owners who will not be able to take their cars down to their huts to load and unload.

Those affected will be in sections B to H on the Lower Promenade.

Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said that he recognised this situation would be frustrating for those owners involved but added that the Council was working as quickly as possible with its contractors to complete works.

"It does not mean that the owners cannot use their beach huts this summer," he said. "They can use them - but they cannot take their vehicles down there for which we apologise."

Only those vehicles that need access for emergency reasons and to carry out vital work will be allowed on that part of the Lower Promenade.

Harry Shearing, Portfolio Holder for Technical and Procurement Services at TDC, said that every effort is being made - with the resources available - to patch up sections of the wall to protect it from the sea.

"What we really need is a multi-million scheme to tackle this problem and we continue to press for that money to be made available so the job can be done comprehensively," he said.

"In the meantime we carry out what repairs we can and at this stage have to maintain the ban on vehicles over this short stretch.

"This is being done in the interests of safety - which must come first at all times."

9/4/09