SOUTHEND Council says organisers of a charity marathon left it too late to inform businesses of a proposed road closure.

The council says it had no choice but to refuse permission for a road closure for Havens Hospices Run to Rember Marathon which was due to take place in March.

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism, and the economy said: “It was with a heavy heart that the council had to reach the difficult but necessary decision to refuse permission to close Western Esplanade to allow the Southend Marathon to take place on March 12.

“The council has been guiding and advising the organisers Havens on their event planning for over a year. This was through meetings with various council officers, but mainly through the Safety Advisory Group, which consists of the council and also external emergency service partners. The safety group's role is to assist any organiser with the formal procedures that are required to run a safe event, by giving advice and assistance on the road closure process and the required marshalling for example.”

Ms Holland added: “The initial guidance given also included how the organiser should consult stakeholders – particularly businesses along the proposed route."

Ms Holland said the marathon was initially due to be held in October 2016 but was moved forward to March .

She said: “This change does not appear to have been communicated to residents or all of the key businesses that would be affected. It was also only four weeks before the event was due to take place that some were consulted for the first time, at which point genuine concerns were raised by some seafront business and residents which had to be taken seriously and considered fairly.

"This unfortunately left insufficient time to resolve matters successfully and the council therefore, in the interests of all involved, needed to make and give a decision to the organisers."

“The key concerns related to the impact the road closure would have on local businesses, many of whom rely upon the parking and access along the seafront (which would have been closed), to bring in revenue when they re-open after the fallow winter period. March is the start of a new season for many and is a critical time of year ahead of the Summer. Essentially, moving this event from late 2016 to March 2017 was the critical issue for the business community, and led to the objections and genuine issues being raised.