The Environment Agency’s decision to complete flood defence work on the beach at this time of year has been widely condemned.

Following an article in last week’s Mercury and on KentOnline, readers have expressed their feelings, suggesting its poor planning.

Kelly Hutchings commented on Facebook: “Why do they need to do it in the summer? If it really must be done, the workmen could do it in the winter, surely? Then people could actually use it in the summer.”

Christine Riches added: “Great planning – just in time for summer. It is really awkward to get down to the water now, for young and old alike.”

“Why do they need to do it in the summer? If it really must be done, the workmen could do it in the winter, surely? Then people could actually use it in the summer.” - Kelly Hutchings

Twitter user Geoff Walton even compared the beach to Diggerland. He said: “We need a summer free of JCBs.”

To add to people’s frustration, Peter Smith of The Marina, told the Mercury on Tuesday that work hadn’t taken place for four days due to the breakdown of a 360 excavator.

He said: “Nothing has happened over the weekend. None of the machines have moved. There’s blokes sitting there waiting for a machine replacement.”

He thinks, considering the good weather and with the bank holiday coming up, it is ‘pathetic’ and more should be done to get the work completed as quickly as possible.

The flood defence work involves contractors moving shingle from an area between the Royal Hotel and the pier to the bottom of the beach and replacing it with different shingle.

A spokesman said: “A small section of Deal beach is not performing to standard, and needs to be rectified.

“Therefore, the work has been scheduled as soon as possible, and to minimise disruption, work is being carried out between 9am and 5.30pm.

“The project repair work is going well, and the essential work should be complete in three weeks time.”

He added: “Contractors have encountered some issues with one piece of machinery on the project, which they are working to resolve.

"The nature of the issue meant that it was more efficient to fix the machinery on site rather than bring in a replacement.

"We understand the concerns of some local residents and we will continue to work with the contractors closely to ensure that the work is completed as quickly as possible."