CANVEY’S flood defences are set to be bolstered with plans to revamp the crumbling concrete revetment.

The island’s 3.2-kilometre tidal defence revetment along the southern shoreline is suffering from degradation, with gaps appearing between the crumbling concrete blocks, according to an Environment Agency report.

The Government agency, responsible for flood defences, has proposed works to repair the revetment – the sloping structures placed on the sea banks designed to absorb the energy of incoming water – by overlaying the existing structures with asphalt.

The works will cost £40 million and will be fully funded by the Government.

The area has a long of flooding; in 1953 ‘the great flood’, caused by a tidal surge and storms in the North Sea, claimed 59 lives.

Ray Howard MBE, who aged 11, survived the flood by huddling with his family in blankets on a sailing boat, said: “I am pleased the Environment Agency is working proactively to ensure our tidal defences remain strong by repairing damage that has built up over time.”

The 80-year-old former borough and county councillor added: “The work done in the 70s and 80s has done fantastically well in keeping the island safe from tidal flooding, nowadays we have more issues with flash flooding from heavy rains."

The works, which will stretch from Thorney Bay in the west and the Island Yacht Club in the east, will ensure the defences lifespan is extended to 2070.

To facilitate construction, the Chapman Sands Jetty will be removed – rebuilt as recently as 2015, following storm damage in 2012.

Plans, which were submitted to Caste Point Council last week, will also include the replacement of all of the concrete steps that lead down the revetment to the shore, many of which are in a state of failure and not suitable for public use.

If approved, the works will further see landscape and habitat improvements, including footpath improvements along the landward side of the sea wall and artificial rockpools.

Construction is planned to start in Autumn 2022 and finish in Summer 2024.

“The replacement is required due to recurring failures and high ongoing maintenance costs amongst other drivers,” Environment Agency planning documents state.

“The concrete wave wall and landward embankment have been found to be in an adequate condition at this time and are not the focus of the current replacement works.”