Elderly and vulnerable residents are being trapped in their own homes by sand blown over the sea wall at Jaywick.

The sand has been piling up against doors since the beach was recharged as part of a £7.4 million scheme to improve sea defences. Tendring Council is to investigate what can be done to ensure it is cleared away after strong winds.

Councillors on the environment and housing committee were told it had been a real problem lately.

Roy Smith (Lab, Golf Green) said some people were unable to get out of their front door.

"One woman in Singer Avenue was unable to get to the shops for a week and others have been unable to negotiate the roads," he said.

"Many are people who are elderly and live on their own and this is putting them at risk."

Mr Smith asked the committee to consider finding extra cash to put into the road sweeping budget.

David Appleby, head of environmental services, accepted there was a problem but said it would not come under road sweeping.

"The machines we use cannot cope with wet sand or sand which is more than a quarter of an inch deep," he said.

Mr Appleby said it was the Environment Agency's responsibility in some areas and also a matter for the council's planning and technical committee to investigate.

Stuart Read, assistant chief executive, said discussions were taking place between officers and the Environment Agency to come up with a solution.

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