Specialist contractors have been appointed by Tendring District Council (TDC) to carry out urgent repair and maintenance work on two sections of sea defence in Dovercourt.

Defences at Stone Point and West End Lane are made up of an Open Stone Asphalt – where large rocks are bound together using asphalt – but over time have become damaged by the sea and weather.

More extensive repairs are needed at the West End Lane section, while the area around Stone Point requires more general maintenance.

Now specialists have been appointed under the £91,500 contract, a start date will be agreed soon.

Adrian Smith, TDC Cabinet Member for Environment, said he was keen the works start as soon as possible to prevent further damage being caused.

“As a council with a large coastline, we recognise the importance of sea defences in order to maintain the lives and livelihoods of our residents and local businesses,” Councillor Smith said.

“Every effort will be taken to keep disruption to a minimum, but there will need to be some temporary closures to the promenade in these areas while these vital works are carried out – and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Carrying out repairs as they arise, as well as continuing essential maintenance, reduces the risks as much as possible of having to deal with large-scale structural failure of sea defences in the future – and the associated costs with rebuilding or repairing costly coast protection infrastructure.”