CAMPAIGNERS have hit out at mindless fly-tipping vandals who they say are putting Canvey at risk of flooding.

It comes as bricks, tyres, wooden panels and even household rubbish were dumped into river dykes which protect the island from flooding.

Environment Agency officials have reiterated the need for the dykes to be kept clear to allow for excess rain water to flow away.

With much made of the ongoing threat of flooding and urgent need to shore up the island’s flood defences, campaigners believe these thoughtless residents are potentially putting lives at risk.

Martin Tucker, town mayor for Canvey, said: “It is basically being done by people who are just not thinking of the consequences.

“I cannot stress how imperative it is that we keep the dykes, and run off areas, clear to allow for water to go away. If they are blocked with the kind of rubbish I have seen, then we are at a greater risk of flooding.

“The people that are doing this probably don’t know how important it is, and they are showing a lack of respect and understanding about what Canvey is facing.

“They aren’t helping us at all.”

The scale and loss of life caused by the 1953 floods has not been seen since in Essex, but Canvey has been continually blighted by flooding problems in recent years.

Large parts of the island suffered flooding when heavy rain fell on July 20, 2014, cutting off roads and leaving drivers stranded in their vehicles.

It was later revealed 11 of Canvey’s 13 pumping stations were out of use and many of the island’s drains were completely blocked.

Enough water to fill Wembley Stadium fell in just 12 minutes – causing flooding chaos on the island.

In a speech at a Future Flood Prevention debate in Westminster this week, Rebecca Harris, Tory MP for Castle Point, praised work to shore up Canvey and is now pressing for further government support.

She said: “Since those last floods, an extraordinary amount of work has taken place right across Castle Point, with considerable amounts of money spent on improvements and mitigation measures.

“The Environment Agency has invested large sums in improvements to its eight sluices and 13 pumping stations. In this financial year alone, it has invested more than £500,000, including £89,000 on the Benfleet and East Haven barriers, which are key to protecting south Benfleet as well as the island.

“I will end by encouraging the Minister to visit Castle Point, if she can find the time in her diary, to see the incredible work that has been done in Benfleet and on Canvey Island, and to meet local agencies to discuss what more is needed and how we can further help the borough.”

The Echo reported last month Mrs Harris urging flood affected Canvey residents to take advantage of up to £5,000 worth of specialised “flood risk” funding.

This enabled the fitting of automatic flood doors, de-watering pumps, barriers – fitted on doors and windows - air brick covers, placed over existing air bricks and vents to act as a seal to prevent floodwater from entering. Essex County Council is preparing to pledge £600,000 towards countywide flood defences.

For more information, visit flood.essex.gov.uk