“RIDICULOUS” £2 million plans to tackle flooding on Southend’s seafront by creating a large-scale green oasis would cause “significant disruption” to businesses, traders have warned. 

An ambitious project led by Anglian Water and Southend Council would see part of Marine Parade next to City Beach transformed with new green spaces and a “mini stream” to tackle surface water flooding. 

But traders along the seafront fear the work will cause “months of disruption” and hit businesses hard. 

Ronish Sutariya, branch manager at Namaste Village, fears the impact of disruption over the summer season.

He said: “We rely on tourists during the summer to make money, otherwise we cannot survive.

Echo: Part of the seafront could be transformed into a green oasis, in a £2 million project.Part of the seafront could be transformed into a green oasis, in a £2 million project. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

“I think it’s a good idea, but the work should only be carried out in the winter, when we’re not busy.”

However, Ronish acknowledges the benefit of the proposals.

He said: “It’s a good sign the council is working on improving flood defences. What they’re proposing is good for everyone, but it’s got to be done at the right time.”

Echo: Trees and grass could be planted along the seafront, alongside concrete flow channels to drain surface water.Trees and grass could be planted along the seafront, alongside concrete flow channels to drain surface water. (Image: Southend Council)

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade on Marine Parade, said: “It’s hard enough being in the leisure and tourism industry as it is.

“We don’t need that sort of disruption at any time. The last thing we want is diggers on the seafront.”

Mr Richardson believes the scheme will not be as effective as using “attenuation tanks”, which store surface water to be released into the sea at low tide.

He added: “The only way to attenuate flooding is to put retention tanks in. These ‘rain gardens’ will have no effect.”

Echo: Ronish says the works must be carried out 'at the right time' to avoid disruption to businesses.Ronish says the works must be carried out 'at the right time' to avoid disruption to businesses. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Joan Tiney, landlady at the Borough Hotel on Marine Parade, branded the plans “a joke”, adding: “Someone must have been having a terrible nightmare when they came up with this. The whole thing is a bad idea.”

Mrs Tiney is concerned the stream could become a “dumping ground” for litter, and “god knows what else”.

Oliver Heard, manager at the Papillon bar, described the proposals as “pointless”.

He said: “The open stream would just become an open sewer. If it’s full of rubbish, they’ll have to pay someone to clean it.”

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to be working with Southend Council, the regional flood coastal committee and the Department for Levelling Up on the Marine Parade sustainable water management scheme.

“Our sewer network in Southend currently sees high levels of surface water infiltration during heavy and sustained rain – which, alongside high tides, causes flooding. 

“This project will help alleviate flooding in Southend by managing much of this surface water along Marine Parade.

“People and businesses potentially impacted by the scheme should respond at yoursay.southend.gov.uk/marine-parade-sustainable-water-management-scheme-consultation).”