Dovercourt seafront revamp is 'tacky'

Jo Henderson, of Harwich Town Council, was alerted to litter and spikes coming through grass banks near the West End beach after decades of erosion on the former landfill site.

Tendring Council’s streets and seafront manager Ian Taylor has drawn up initial proposals to install caged concrete blocks and plant shrubbery.

The proposals were revealed to the council, but Mrs Henderson said she believed they were not good enough.

She said: “We deserve better.

They look cheap and tacky and we would lose half the greensward.

“I do not think they are appropriate and other solutions should be looked at. I have been told the cages are less expensive than other options.

“The situation did not happen overnight, and I am wondering why the seafront managers have not brought this up before.

“I do not see why the greensward cannot be retained, even if work was done in phases to restore it.”

Town councillor Garry Calver agreed the plans should be revised and steps taken to protect the town’s coastline.

He said: “The seafront is one our biggest assets – we are a Blue Flag beach and it helps bring lots of money into the economy.

“I think the overall message is we want the seafront to remain the same as howwe have enjoyed it in the last 50 years.’’ Only town councillor Malcolm Nicholson was in favour of the plans, which he thought would be attractive to children and adults.

He said: “I think it is great and kids will love it. As well as the bricks, there will still be huge swathes of grass to enjoy.”

Mrs Henderson will present the council’s feedback to Mr Taylor.