SOUTHEND Pier’s electric train has broken down again - just days after it was brought back into service.

The Sir David Amess train had returned to the tracks on Thursday after a six-week absence where it had undergone repairs and further testing.

But the train, which has been plagued with problems ever since it was launched in March, is facing another spell in the sidings after a fault was found underneath.

Southend Council says it hopes the train will return to service within a week, but traders have expressed their anger at yet another setback.

Joan Tiney, chairman of Southend Seafront Traders’ Association said: “It’s ridiculous. It was out of action for weeks on end and everyone rejoiced when it came back into service.

“It’s a big attraction.

“I have a meeting of the Southend Tourism Partnership and will be bringing this up to see if we can get anything done.”

The Sir David Amess train, named after the former Southend West MP, is one of a pair of new electric trains purchased as part of a £3.5 million investment into the pier.

The second electric train will be officially rolled out for the first time in the coming weeks.

Just last week, council bosses said the Sir David Amess train had undergone an “intense period” of safety tests and checks to ensure it could operate again.

It was sidelined in August after breaking down, and again in April due to a problem with the doors.

Following the latest breakdown, Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture and tourism, said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that an issue arose while the train was in operation. It was something we had to take very seriously.

“We are getting the manufacturer, Severn Lamb, down here and it is hoped the train will be up and running again within a week.

“Nobody could be as frustrated as I am quite frankly but at the end of the day we can’t take risks.”

A spokesman for Severn Lamb said: “We apologise to local people, businesses, and visitors for these delays.

“We are doing everything we can to make the trains operational.

“One carriage has been affected by a fault, and we are working around the clock to get it fixed.”