Essex Highways is to install CCTV at the £2.39m Dovercourt Public Realm Scheme after members of the workforce were abused online and on site.
In an open letter issued to residents and businesses on 7 October, Essex Highways said the behaviour was “completely unacceptable” and warned that it would take “the strongest possible action” if it continued.
“We are taking this matter very seriously and will be installing CCTV on site,” the organisation said. It added that workers “are doing their best to deliver the scheme and should not have to endure abuse when simply doing their jobs”.
Work switches to western side of Kingsway
The scheme is being delivered by M Group for Essex County Council and Tendring District Council. It covers the B1414 Kingsway between Dovercourt railway station and the seafront, and forms part of a wider £9m town-centre regeneration programme.
Construction began in June, with completion scheduled for the winter. The first half of the paving on the eastern, library side of the road is substantially complete, and activity has moved to the western, Wetherspoons side.
Further work will include benches, litter bins and new trees, as well as public spaces outside the station and Harwich Library.
Temporary traffic arrangements remain in place
A temporary one-way system is operating and parking along Kingsway has been suspended. Essex Highways said working on larger sections one side at a time would shorten the overall construction period, whereas smaller sections would have extended the programme and made the scheme undeliverable.
Tendring District Council has extended its Householder Parking Permit scheme for Orwell Place Car Park, while Marine Parade has no parking restrictions. M Group has also been permitted to use the vacant Milton Road car park for material storage, helping to free up spaces in the town centre.
The contractor said it would open additional Kingsway spaces as sections are completed where it is safe to do so. It has also said it will help businesses accommodate deliveries, while signs at the site state that businesses remain open as normal.
Residents can raise concerns at drop-in sessions
Essex Highways said the works would inevitably cause inconvenience, but that the scheduling of a major project is difficult and disruption cannot be avoided entirely.
Residents and businesses can attend drop-in sessions at Harwich Library from 10am to noon on the first and third Monday of each month. The next session is scheduled for 19 October. Queries can also be sent to dovercourtpublicrealm@essexhighways.org.