TRADERS left devastated by another major flooding incident on Southend seafront have called for independent inquiry into the incident.

Owners of amusement arcades, pubs, shops and restaurants along Marine Parade have been left counting the cost after flash flooding devastated their business in just minutes.

Many had only just recovered from storms which hit in August last year and cannot believe it has happened again.

They are blaming the design of the City Beach area, which saw the Golden Mile repaved and the road narrowed.

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome arcade, said: “This has got to be done, this needs an independent inquiry.

“We had only just reopened, we had been open six months since the last one.

“I could say I have had enough, I probably have had enough right at this precise moment, but I love this arcade and I love the trade.

“We pay our rates to be protected, we need to see the leader of this council or Andy Lewis [corporate director for place on Southend Council], do something.

They need to be accountable or gone.”

Mr Richardson claims the whole design of the seafront close to his arcade is wrong as it slopes towards the businesses and there are not enough drains. He added: “This is supposed to be the new City Beach, but it was never consulted on or designed right.

“The whole lot of it is designed wrong.”

He estimates his repair bill this time could reach £250,000.

Harry Prigmore, operations manager of Circus Circus and Las Vegas, which were both damaged, added: “Why has it happened again?

“I have been here 19 years and it has got a lot worse since they have done this.”

Kevin Shepherd, of Bobby’s Fish and Chip Shop, believes the authorities need to put a pumping station opposite so that the water can be put back over the sea wall.