Southend Pier traders today (Wednesday) claimed they had lost vital business after being left high and dry by a water leak which cut off supplies.

The leak is reckoned to have cost pier businesses thousands of pounds as daytrippers stayed away in their droves because of blocked toilets and health and hygiene fears.

The traders today reacted angrily to the situation they fear has cost them precious business - and have blamed poor maintenance and a slow reaction by Southend Council.

But the council says that temporary supplies have been given to traders although it could take some time to resolve the problem.

One trader, who did not want to be identified, said that a leak from a water main had caused the problem which started affecting the water supply from Saturday evening.

He said: "It is very aggravating that as soon as the sun shines you can't work properly - it is all down to poor maintenance which should be done in the winter.

"We had to go to the end of the platform to fill up cans but by Sunday there was no water for the toilets, so they became blocked.

"There were signs saying 'no water' and 'no toilet facilities' so who was going to come here?"

Another trader said the problem had scuppered chances of cashing in on business during the sunny spell. He said: " We are a service industry and if you upset the public, how the hell are you going to get them back?"

A spokesman for Southend Council said traders were being constantly updated and advised on the progress tackling the problem.

Pier and foreshore officer Marjorie Hall said:"We are having to have special pipes made because the fittings are obsolete.

We are doing everything possible and there is a water supply maintained to the pierhead, but it is not as good as a full pressure supply, of course."

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