Coastal beauty spot to close for dredging

A coastal beauty spot in Essex will be closed to visitors until at least May to allow for dredging work.

The visitor pontoon at Hythe Quay near Promenade Park in Maldon will be removed in the coming days so the quay and the pontoon area can be dredged.

Maldon District Council said the work would take at least eight weeks, possibly more, depending on the weather and the tide conditions.

The project will mean the iconic Thames sailing barges can continue to sail in and out of the town, the council says.

"Additionally, it will encourage more use of the visitor pontoon by visiting vessels," a spokesperson added.

In January, the BBC reported that the council was pushing ahead with the most significant dredging of the quay in 25 years.

The local authority has assured people that the work will not affect the world-famous Maldon Mud Race.

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