RESIDENTS are urging Southend Council to do more to promote the town’s pier, amid a contuining campaign to save the landmark.

Last month, the Echo revealed the shock results of a survey into the state of the pier – with a warning it could close in five years unless urgent work is done.

Southend Council has said it will stump up £2million towards repairs, and has submitted a planning application for the work.

But residents have set up a Save Southend Pier Facebook page, while a petition demanding the council protect the pier has already got 190 signatures.

Campaigners want the authority to bid for cash to maintain the landmark, but also say the pier should be marketed better.

Trevor Bell, 68, of Holland Road, Westcliff, said: “The pier is the jewel in our crown and belongs to the people. We have two train stations bringing people from London into town and yet the council don’t shout about the pier enough. It has never taken full advantage of the pier’s importance. Nowhere do you see the words ‘Welcome to the longest pleasure pier in the world.’”

Other campaigners have called for grant money to be ploughed into the attraction.

Hastings Pier, which has been taken over by the community, has been awarded £14million of grants.

Peggy Dowie, who works at the pier’s museum, said: “Southend Council has been very successful in getting grant money for other projects, so I can’t see why it can’t get any for the pier.

“I’m pleased the council has put in a planning application.

It’s certainly a step in the right direction.” The authority’s development control committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the repairs, but councillors will vote on sending the matter to the Secretary of State, as it is a listed structure.

If it gets Government approval, which is likely, the high priority work on sorting out old beams and connections will take place next year.

Other campaign groups have called for more attractions on the pier’s head.

Patsy Link, from campaign group SKIPP, added: “The end of the pier definitely needs commercial investment. We have been lobbying for a pub there.

“It also needs signs showing the importance of the pier and how it’s the longest one in the world. It isn’t promoted enough.”

Council ‘is doing all it can’

Southend Council has pointed to record visitor numbers in claiming it does its utmost to promote the pier.

This year, numbers were their highest since the landmark was damaged by fire in 2005. But the council has said residents can do their bit in promoting the attraction.

The authority also said the ghost train and Santa’s grotto sold out, while the royal pavilion had done good business this year.

Lib Dem Graham Longley, deputy council leader, said: "The pier is the jewel in Southend’s crown and we continually do our utmost to promote it. We can reassure everyone the pier is safe in our hands, and always has been. With growing visitor numbers and plans for an amphitheatre, these are exciting times. Now is the time to support and celebrate our resurgent Old Lady – not give way to unfounded fears.

“We urge campaigners to join us in supporting the pier.

We welcome any suggestions they would like to make to further boost our marketing and promotional work.’’