A £2 million scheme has begun in Essex which will see the coastal defences in Stansgate upgraded.

The flood protection project will take place along a stretch of coastline west of the Stansgate Abbey Road, north of Steeple, and is expected to last until December.

It will ensure the embankment continues to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 200 properties.

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Environment Agency contractors JBA Bentley are removing the old concrete scour protection from the embankment and replacing it with a specialist mix of stone and asphalt (OSA).

Environment Agency project lead Robert Brown said: "This work will improve the condition of the defence and will reduce the need for maintenance works for many years to come.

"The OSA and equipment is being brought to site by lorry. We and JBA Bentley are working hard to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

"For example, the old concrete blocks will be placed at the bottom of the seawall to act as a wave break and habitat, which will remove the need to take them away by lorry."

(CM/JG)