WATCHET boat-owners are pressing West Somerset Council to take urgent action to tackle the deepening mud problem in the town’s harbour.

In a letter sent to 20 councillors and council officials this week, the Watchet Boat Owners’ Association claimed there were serious safety issues and the town was being damaged as a tourist attraction.

“We now believe the situation has deteriorated to the point where safety risks relating to the outer harbour should be addressed with some urgency, particularly in view of the rapidly approaching spring and summer months bringing increased use of harbour facilities,” said the letter.

“We are potentially risking our lives and damage to our boats every time we sail or motor in or out of Watchet harbour.

“It is time that the council prioritises action to deal with the increasing mud in the outer harbour in order to address this.”

WBOA chairman Ray Ventura said: “The mud level has almost doubled in the outer harbour and the council, whose responsibility it is, has done absolutely nothing about it.

“We have been expressing serious concerns for over two years but with no result.”

He said the association now intended to take the matter further by calling for urgent discussions with the Watchet Harbour Board, the RNLI and the legal department of the Royal Yachting Association.

“This situation can’t be allowed to continue,” he said.

For the full report, buy today’s Free Press (February 22).