PARTS of a waterfront beauty spot in Maldon will be shut to visitors due to "critical maintenance."

Works will start soon at Hythe Quay, in Promenade Park – with the visitor pontoon being removed for maintenance.

It will be removed in the coming days for the works and will not be reinstated until May 2026. Formal plans were agreed last February.

Maldon District Council posted on Facebook about works but was unable to provide further details when approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The project "will ensure" the quay and pontoon area "are suitably dredged, enabling vessels". It includes the town's famous Thames Sailing Barges, which are moored at the quay, "to manoeuvre safely and continue to use the quay and pontoon area."

Dredging will begin in late March and take about eight weeks, "potentially longer depending on tide and weather conditions." During this period, visiting boats will not be able to use the quay and area.

The council says the project "will support the continued presence of the Thames Sailing Barges in the district, thereby supporting tourism and local businesses. Additionally, it will encourage more use of the Visitor Pontoon by visiting vessels."

It comes as a £1.1 million revamp of Promenade Park is being planned. The proposals include improved play areas and a new outdoor gym.

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