Southend sea swimmer protest Anglian Water sewage leaks

Southend beach was closed from Chalkwell to Shoeburyness for over two weeks following a sewage spillage from an outfall – a pipe leading into the sea – near Camper Road.

The spillage was caused by ‘significant blockage’ in a sewer pipe that feeds Anglian Water’s Southend Water Recycling Centre which has since been fixed.

Members of swimming groups Southend Seals and Leigh Blue Tits today (Friday, November 5) marched on Southend Council’s offices demanding action over the spillage.

Earlier in the week, the council sat down with representatives of Anglian Water in what Cllr Martin Terry has described as a “robust and constructive meeting”.

Anger with Anglian Water had been exacerbated by surface flooding along the seafront following heavy rains on the evening of October 20 – leading the council to demand the meeting in a letter sent to the water firm.

Shah Haider, 48, one of about 40 swimmers at the protest, was inspired to take to the streets after witnessing dead seagulls and ecological damage along the beach.

“We were chanting, banging drums, blowing whistles and honking horns,” he said.

“Many people gave cries of support. Although one gentleman did yell at me to ‘get a job’.

“On our arrival outside the council offices we asked for a councillor to update us on the council’s position. We wanted to know if the council were planning on testing the sea water for E. coli bacteria. Unfortunately, we were informed that one was present to make any official statement.”

Cllr Martin Terry said: “The council has also learned lessons from this incident and going forward we will collectively ensure that we have stronger lines of communication with Anglian Water, and the council will be better informed of developments as will our residents and businesses.

“Anglian Water were clear around the complexity of the long-term fix to the sewer pipe that feeds into the Southend Water Recycling Centre, but we have been assured that their temporary measures are robust."

He added: "It was a positive meeting overall and we have a positive commitment from Anglian Water to work and invest in our water and wastewater infrastructure that will address not just the current and historical issues, but consider the future too.

“On a specific point, we did also raise the distinction between the broken sewage pipe and problems caused by tidal locks where high tide and heavy rainfall leads to surface water flooding – two separate issues. Anglian Water accepted this matter needs to be addressed and are keen to work with us to develop solutions going forwards.”