Frinton: Shelter repairs draining funds (From Gazette)
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Frinton: Shelter repairs draining funds
11:20am Monday 26th March 2007 in News By Mike Sams
How much is too much? Councillors must decide whether continually forking out the cost of repairing vandalism to the Edwardian shelter is a worthwhile use of taxpayer money. (34214-8)
Further attacks by seaside vandals on a historic shelter have forced councillors to think how much longer they can keep on forking out to repair it.
Volunteers set about doing up the Edwardian Zig Zag shelter, on Frinton seafront, with donations from local businesses.
Since then, yobs have repeatedly smashed windows and torn off roof and ridge tiles, leaving it worse than ever. Town councillor Robert Bucke fears the jagged glass presents a safety hazard to young children.
It is the worst-hit of the shelters, which are dotted along the coast at Frinton and Walton.
Since the maintenance responsibility was taken over by Frinton and Walton Town Council, it has been progressively restoring them to their former glory.
Jan King, chairman of the council's recreation and amenities' committee, told members: "At least we are doing what has been asked of us, but if they continue we will have to decide so they do not become so much of a burden on the taxpayer. It is being smashed to matchwood."
