CANVEY'S eroding beach could have been handed a lifeline after a meeting with superport bosses.

Members of Canvey Bay Watch discussed dredging in the Thames Estuary with Marcus Pearson, environmental manager at DP World.

It comes after concerns were raised earlier this month that sand levels from Concord Beach to Thorney Bay may have dropped by as much as two metres, with dredging believed to be a factor.

The underside of the island’s seawall, broken slabs and rocks are now clearly visible as a result of shifted sand. However, after the meeting, volunteers from Canvey Bay Watch have been assured that the drop is “a classic case of beach erosion”.

DP World, which runs the London Gateway site in Thurrock, believes its dredger could help to replenish the beach.

John Webb,aCanvey Bay Watch member, said: “We were told DP World had stopped dredging the estuary two years ago and that it only carry out maintenance work now.

“Mr Pearson came to observe the beach, and it’s good that there might be a solution there. He said there is a way of using the dredger to transfer sand to a pontoon offshore and pump the sand from there to the beach.

“Ultimately he said they would liaise with the Environment Agency and Castle Point Council to see what will be done.

“This means nothing is set in stone, but at least it’s something positive and we can hopefully get sand levels back to what they once were.”

A council spokesman said the authority was open to a meeting to discuss options.

She said: “As the meeting only took place on Friday, it’s unlikely we will have had any formal contact from the Environment Agency or DP World yet. But we are happy to discuss this issue with all parties to try to resolve matters.”

A DP World spokesman said: “DP World completed its main dredge of the river in March 2014.

In the future, some maintenance dredging will be undertaken.

“The port is looking at all options for reusing that dredged material and to the benefit of the local community.

“This was discussed as part of a Thames Estuary Partnership conference on sustainability at London Gateway. While the port is very willing to do what it can, discussions on how this material could be used are only in the early stages and would be subject to licences being granted.”