INVESTIGATIONS are underway as to whether Wivenhoe’s sea wall is leaking.

Essex county councillor Julie Young (Lab) is following up residents’ concerns about the construction and strength of the sea wall in the popular town as it goes towards Alresford.

Mrs Young became aware of the matter after Colchester and Wivenhoe suffered from flooding in August.

She said: “When the water was at its height after that flooding incident, the water was pushing its way out of the seams of the wall.

“Questions were raised about whether maybe there was a fault in the construction or if it wasn’t solid.

“There were also concerns raised about the holding tank, which sits below the pavement area, that adds additional capacity.

“Further along in West Quay it looks like what might be a bit of a sink hole appearing.”

Gazette:

Is this a growing sink hole?

Mrs Young said she was cautious about causing any unnecessary concern.

However, she added she is keen to establish whether there are any faults in the first place and if so, who is liable to put it right.

Two housing developers operate nearby, Taylor Wimpey at Cooks Shipyard, and Persimmon at West Quay, but it is also unclear if homeowners could face a hit should the sea wall be found to be leaking.

Mrs Young added: “I arranged a walkabout with the Environment Agency, Anglia Water, Essex County Council’s flood team and highways officers after the floods to have a look at the drainage at Brook Street and East Street.

“The drain flows all the way down to the river so they are doing some camera work and investigating the drainage.

“I’ve since reported the dropped pavement in West Quay to Persimmon Homes and the county council, but the wider concern is around the sea wall.”