SOUTHEND seafront will stay open this weekend despite fears of tourists overwhelming the town’s beaches.

Thousands have already taken advantage of soaring temperatures this week to visit Southend seafront, triggering fears of a second peak of coronavirus because social distancing is a challenge.

Council leaders say the seafront’s closure has been considered but have instead urged people in the strongest possible terms to use their common sense if they visit.

Ian Gilbert, Labour leader of Southend Council, said: “The announcement from the Prime Minister that people can take unlimited exercise, sunbathe and visit the beach has clearly caused a problem for us and we are not the only seaside town to experience it.

“Closing the seafront is something we have kept under consideration but doing it will impact access for businesses and for residents who live near there. A full road closure is not easy to do and it is not without its drawbacks.”

Independent councillor Ron Woodley, the council’s deputy leader, further explained that “no matter how many council officers or police” are on the streets they cannot stop people “intent on not social distancing and not staying away”.

He added: “We only have the power to advise.

“All this is happening because the Prime Minister said get in your car and go anywhere in England.

“To announce what he did, he threw open Southend to a pack of wolves who want to devour everything and leave the mess behind them.

“It is so disappointing, it is depressing. Officers and councillors are doing all they can to try and stem this situation but it is an impossible task.”

He said closing the seafront is a final option but it would mean closing a major artery through the town.

“It is easy to say close the seafront but all it will do is cause people to park further away and then walk down to the beach,” he added.

Rather than close the seafront, the council said it will be relying on measures that were implemented last weekend, including widening the Western Esplanade to give more room to pedestrians.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said the council had put in “every possible measure” to allow people to visit the seafront safely

“Stay safe, stay apart, has been our very clear message to visitors and residents,” he said.

“We have widened the promenade, installed a traffic contraflow and have additional council staff and volunteers working along the seafront to assist the public.

“There is only so much we can do and the large burden of responsibility falls upon individuals to follow the Government guidance, use their common sense and social distance appropriately.”

Despite specific questions being asked by the Echo, the council did not say how it will determine the maximum capacity for the seafront or what it will do to manage and reduce numbers.

It also did not provide details of how the traffic flow will be handled now that the Western Esplanade has been expanded to make the roads narrower for cars.

Closing the seafront remains a last resort, despite the possibility of thousands descending on the seafront this weekend.

Soaring temperatures have caused hundreds to flood the Southend seafront this week making social distancing challenging and renewing fears that coronavirus infections could rise as a result.

However, council leaders are reluctant to say they will close the seafront if the area becomes overwhelmed, instead putting the emphasis on residents to use their common sense.

Labour council leader Councillor Ian Gilbert said: “The announcement from the Prime Minister that people can take unlimited exercise, sunbathe and visit the beach has clearly caused a problem for us and we are not the only seaside town to experience it.

“Closing the seafront is something we have kept under consideration but doing it will impact access for businesses and for residents who live near there. A full road closure is not easy to and it is not without its drawbacks.”

The deputy leader of the council, Independent councillor Ron Woodley, further explained that “no matter how many council officers or police” are on the streets they cannot stop people “intent on not social distancing and not staying away”.

“We only have the power to advise,” he continued.

“All this is happening because the Prime Minister said get in your car and go anywhere in England.

“To announce what he did, he threw open Southend to a pack of wolves who want to devour everything and leave the mess behind them.

“It is so disappointing, it is depressing. Officers and councillors are doing all they can to try and stem this situation but it is an impossible task.”

He said closing the seafront is a final option but it would mean closing a major artery through the town.

“It is east to say close the seafront but all it will do is cause people to park further away and then walk down to the beach,” he added.

Rather than close the seafront, the council said it will be relying on measures that were implemented last weekend, including widening the Western Esplanade to give more room to pedestrians.

Councillor Martin Terry, who oversees community safety, said the council has put in “every possible measure” to allow them to visit the seafront safely

“Stay safe, stay apart, has been our very clear message to visitors and residents,” he said.

“We have widened the promenade, installed a traffic contraflow and have additional council staff and volunteers working along the seafront to assist the public.

“There is only so much we can do and the large burden of responsibility falls upon individuals to follow the Government guidance, use their common sense and social distance appropriately.”

Despite specific questions being asked by the Echo, the council did not say how it will determine the maximum capacity for the seafront or what it will do to manage and reduce numbers.

It also did not provide details of how the traffic flow will be handled now that the Western Esplanade has been expanded to make the roads narrower for cars.