A CHARITY is calling for action because their pathway that enables disabled people to access the beach is being continuously damaged and vandalised.

Back in May a pathway giving disabled people the chance to enjoy the seafront was unveiled thanks to the Echo’s help.

The Beach Wheelchair Pathway, in Thorpe Esplanade, Thorpe Bay, was officially opened by Southend mayor Judy McMahon and representatives from the Tram Stop Shelter charity.

The project was funded by a £9,400 grant from the Gannet Foundation, run by the Echo’s parent company.

However, charity chairman Bob Craven is devastated that the pathway has been already badly damaged after a string of incidents including being set alight and mats being pulled up and smashed.

The latest incident saw a car accidentally drive down the ramp, which the pathway is on and get stuck in the sand, with attempts to further damage the path.

All incidents have been reported to the police.

Discussing the ‘traumatic’ incident on Sunday afternoon, Mr Craven, 69, of Marcus Chase, Thorpe Bay, said: “A car had driven down the ramp beside the beach pathway and was stuck in the sand.

“I got there just in time to stop three guys lifting up parts of the pathway to place under the car tyres to assist in getting it off the sand.

“They then went to other parts of the pathway to use mats that had been previously damaged. I stopped them again.

“A young woman shouted abuse at me.

“I told her that the charity I headed was the owners of the pathway and that they would be causing damage to our property.

“Two hours later the car was, eventually, removed by a friendly four by four driver from the large crowd that had gathered.”

Mr Craven is demanding a gate is put up on the ramp to stop any further incidents or damage to the pathway.

He added: “Needless to say I will be asking the council to place a barrier gate at the top of the ramp that can be opened for the use of legitimate users of the ramp.

“From witnesses this is a regular occurrence.

“What was really worrying is that at the time the car was spinning its wheels there was an elderly person in a wheelchair on the beach pathway who was sprayed with sand!

“A lockable barrier will protect our visitors and our property.”

The charity is also in the process of raising £200,000 to rebuild the former tram shelter, which was demolished due to its poor state of repair.

A council spokesman, said: “We are happy to consider any requests for a barrier, gate or something similar.”