ENGINEERS will consider alternatives to building a seawall across Shoebury Common - if the public can come up with a better idea.

Chiefs at Southend Council have announced they are willing to listen to different options when a month-long consultation gets under way next week.

The open-minded approach clashes with previous statements from senior councillors, who said only minor amendments would be on the table from April 15.

But residents face significant caveats if they are to come up with a suitable alternative - it must provide the same level of protection as the council’s scheme and cost roughly the same amount.

Andrew Lewis, the council’s corporate director for enterprise, tourism and the environment, said: “There is flexibility for changes to our preferred option for the flood defence.

“If there are practicable and workable alternatives put forward during the consultation, they will be properly considered and costed.

“What we hope to gain from the consultation is a clear idea of what people would like to see.”