SEAFRONT road closures are “almost guaranteed” this weekend over fears an illegal car meet will descend on the Golden Mile.

Council bosses have warned overnight closures could be used for the second weekend in a row to clamp down on crowds gathering to show off their cars.

Plans are circulating social media for a car meet on Saturday, with 500 people marked as attending the event.

Despite the Facebook group stating the event will take place “somewhere in Southend”, organisers SouthendMOdz insist the event will be moved to Chelmsford.

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However, this has done little to allay fears with bosses worried a last minute change could see hundreds descend on Southend.

According to the Facebook group, a “specific location will be revealed hours before the event”, planned to start at 6pm.

Martin Terry, councillor in charge of community safety, said: “We have to wait for the intel, but if an event like that is going on, it’s almost guaranteed we will see the roads closed again.

“We have to put community safety first. Disruption is far better than having a serious injury caused by these drivers.”

Mr Terry insisted traders would be given notice of any closures, after frustration circled at the last minute announcement last week.

Traders on Western Esplanade said the closures had created a “ghost town.”

However, Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome Arcade, said: “The council and police have got two options. Either the police come in heavy handed and start seizing cars, or they close the road.

“The weather put people off at the weekend, not the road closures. It was just usual quiet weekend for the weather forecast we had. It’s the same message, don’t use our Golden Mile as a drag strip.

“If you want to show off your cars and drive fast, then book a race trace.”

The road closures took place from the turnaround point on Western Esplanade, through Marine Parade and ended at the junction of Southchurch Avenue and Eastern Esplanade.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader, said: “We will spend the next few days reviewing both the positive and negative responses and feedback from traders and residents, and also engage with stakeholders further, before making a decision on whether or not there is a need to implement the closure again.”