The Strategy and Resources Committee at Maldon District Council have approved the budget to dredge Hythe Quay and the Visitors Pontoon.

A budget provision of £135,000 will be made available to dredge the area from the Maritime Centre to The Queen's Head Pub, clearing up a build up of mud which is stopping the "iconic" Thames Sailing Barges from moving effectively. 

The Council say the dredging "will help support the Thames Barges continued presence in the district, supporting tourism and local businesses," as well as enable a greater use of the visitors pontoon by visiting vessels.

Cllr Lagan, Chair of the Hythe Quay Desilting Task and Finishing Group, said: "We support the desiltation of the Hythe Quay so that we can keep the barge fleet in Maldon and we can provide access to visiting yachtsmen from other areas with a potential hopefully to raise some revenue.

"I'm very hopeful that we can continue to support and get this much-needed work done."

There has been no significant dredging work in the main areas occupied by the barges since around 2000. The council last dredged the quay in 2016, and further works to remove silt were undertaken in 2019.

An area of the Quay by The Queen's Head Pub. (Credit: Chloe Brewster)

Cllr Siddall, while agreeing with the proposed works, asked the working group to agree to an annual budget to maintain the access.

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"There's no point in doing this if it again is neglected." He said.

"We need to leave a legacy for this maintenance because I don't want to spend this money and in future years, and if Maldon District Council doesn't exist, to be forgotten." 

The project will be delivered by working closely with the Maldon Harbour Improvement Commissioners, the National Trust and other stakeholders.