SHOCK has been expressed at the withdrawal today of �10million in funding for a vital coastal defence scheme, which could put the resort’s historic seafront at risk.

Funding for the much-needed defence work along the central Felixstowe seafront - from Jacob’s Ladder to the War Memorial - was due to come from the Environment Agency (EA) with building work to start next year.

But it emerged today that the EA has withdrawn its approval, granted in June, and council bosses say it appears there will be no chance of further support from them.

Councillor Andy Smith, cabinet member for coastal protection, said: “We have been working in partnership with the Environment Agency to get this much-needed scheme in place to help protect homes and businesses in central Felixstowe, and it was all ready to start next year.

“Now we have been informed by the EA that it has withdrawn its written funding approval, made in June of �10.3m, and it appears that there will be no chance of any EA support over the next four years.

“This Council perhaps more than any other recognises the need to prioritise spending but we will be strongly urging those at the most senior level of the EA to review this disastrous decision, and I am grateful for the immediate support offered by Therese Coffey MP.

“Last minute delays in funding are not new for Felixstowe as we had similar problems before the South Felixstowe works could be begun, and we will do all we can to ensure that the central scheme is also underway as soon as possible.”