I am shocked Southend Council has abandoned plans for a maritime themed development of Southend Pier.

According to councillor Brian Kelly, portfolio holder for resources, there are no funds available and so no progress is likely for at least the next three years.

Perhaps somebody would kindly let residents know what has happened to all of the pier monies.

First, there must have been insurance payout in respect of the buildings on the pier that were destroyed by fire in October 2005.

These structures have not been reinstated, and so I presume the council is holding a significant sum which can be put towards the new development.

Secondly, what about the £500,000 that the council received a few years ago from the operators of the former bowling alley that burnt down?

They paid over a lump sum in lieu of having to replace the pavilion, in accordance with the legal terms pertaining to their occupation of the site.

Surely somebody at the council put this money aside so that it could be used in the future for its intended purpose of providing a new pavilion somewhere on the pier.

In fact, when combining all these monies with a contribution from a private developer, there should be quite sufficient funding available to enable a sizeable project to proceed without any good reason for delay.

I begin to suspect that the Tory-led administration of Southend Council may have secretly decided behind closed doors to siphon off these pier funds so they can afford to pay the £10million cost of their flagship policy of building a new swimming and diving facility at Garon Park.

I hope that is not the case.

David Payne
Ronald Park Avenue
Westcliff