WORK to bolster Canvey’s flood defences and revamp the crumbling concrete revetment in a £75 million project has begun.

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 – with sections of the current revetment dating back to the 1930s.

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The Environment Agency, responsible for flood defences, last week begun 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 are set to cost £75 million and are being fully funded by the Government.

Echo: Underway - Crews begin the long process up upgrading Canvey's sea defencesUnderway - Crews begin the long process up upgrading Canvey's sea defences (Image: Castle Point Conservatives)

Much of Canvey lies below the daily high-water level in the Thames Estuary.

The area has a long of flooding; in 1953 ‘the great flood’, caused by a tidal surge and storms in the North Sea, claimed 58 lives.

January 31 will mark the 70th anniversary of the flood.

Echo: Plans - A sketch of how the completed works will lookPlans - A sketch of how the completed works will look (Image: Environment Agency)

Ray Howard MBE, aged 11 at the time, survived by huddling with his family in blankets on a sailing boat.

“The government is spending a lot of money updating and ensure the maintenance of the structure that has kept us safe since that awful day in the 50s,” the 88-year-old said.

“Canvey today is very secure from flooding, and this project will ensure it remains so for many years to come.

“We still have a challenge ahead of us tackling surface water flooding from heavy rains, but we can safely say that our sea defences are in good hands.”

Echo: Crumbling - The state of the old revetment Crumbling - The state of the old revetment (Image: Environment Agency)

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.

As well as refurbishing the existing tidal defences, additional enhancements will be made to the Canvey Island shoreline. These will include improved public access along the seaward walkway.

New steps to the beach and foreshore as well as project information boards will be installed. The surface of the pathway along the landward side of the seawall between Thorney Bay and Chapman Sands will also be improved.

Canvey Island South councillor Barry Campagna said: “The construction crews are out along the seafront working on the sea defences.

“This is something that needs to be done, so even though there are some inconveniences for residents such as noise and traffic, it’s a necessity and we just have to get on with it.”

Construction is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

James Mason, operations manager for the Environment Agency, said: “This project is essential to managing the risk of flooding for thousands of people, homes and businesses on Canvey.

“The existing revetment along the southern shoreline is starting to reach the end of its useful life. This investment in Canvey Island’s tidal defences will ensure they continue to benefit the community on Canvey Island to 2070.

“We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in the UK. Which is why schemes such as this are needed.”