TRADERS have spoken of their relief after Southend Council ruled out shutting the seafront this weekend as assurances were given over a robust police presence for the whole summer.

The council has now made it clear Western Esplanade will remain open following last weekend’s closure to keep crime and antisocial behaviour under control.

Leading seafront traders have been piling on the pressure over last weekend’s closure and a petition - Save our Seafront - was even launched.

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Martin Terry, Southend councillor in charge in of community safety, said: “I’m relieved that the police have given us assurances that they will have a presence there for the rest of the summer.

“If it’s dealt with robustly and the presence is consistently there, I can’t see it being closed again.

“We can’t have the seafront like the wild west, what’s been happening is frightening.

“We didn’t want to close the seafront, it was forced upon us by these dangerous drivers.”

Earlier this month, police officers were injured after objects were thrown at them in a rowdy seafront car meet.

Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles One cafe on the seafront, added: “It’s a sensible decision, and the only one they could take.

“There has been a lot of negative feedback of the closure last weekend.

“We have seen more police on the seafront over the past few weeks.

“It’s a relief and encouraging to see that presence there. It’s reassuring for both me and my staff.”

Essex Police announced that the seafront would see an extra 50 police officers stationed along the Golden Mile over the summer staycation period.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, added: “We will have to wait and see if it works.

“The police have given us the assurances now, let’s hope they stick to it.

“If they can’t control what happens, then we will have to consider the wider picture and consider our options.”

A spokesman from Southend Council, said: “ Following discussions with the police, it has been agreed we will not be closing the road this weekend.”