CAMPAIGNING councillors are thrilled after a long hoped-for timber boardwalk was put in place to help people access Chalkwell beach with ease.

Southend Council has invested in the new boardwalk across Chalkwell beach, just yards from the c2c rail station.

Visitors using a wheelchair or a walker can now get down to the water’s edge.

The boardwalk took 11 months for the council to build and is constructed from hardwood, to ensure it doesn’t deteriorate in poor weather.

Climate-resistant plants were put in around the boardwalk to give it a “garden-like feeling.”

Chalkwell Tory councillor, Nigel Folkard, who was instrumental in getting the boardwalk installed and participated in the planting scheme, said: “Residents are well pleased with it and for those with wheelchair access it is excellent.

“It has been quite popular, we have had the Blue Tits Chill Swim Club, a popular swimming group, using it and beachgoers have mentioned that they want to be see more like it on Southend’s other beaches.

“People have even constructed an insect hotel next to it, with the leftover timber, a decision that was totally independent of the council.

“It was just taken on by members of the community.”

James Courtenay, Tory cabinet member for public safety, said: “This is one of the most popular beaches here and it allows people to get on and off the beach safely if they are disabled and elderly.

“Chalkwell councillors were heavily involved in the review of the plans, it was originally bigger and would have taken over half the beach but was scaled back to enable straightforward access to the water, not to take the beach over.

“People can go straight down the middle of the beach, enjoy the garden-like feeling and the sea air.

“We are trying to keep things as accessible as possible and c2c are looking to get a lift installed to allow as many people to get from the station to the beach.”