THE tidal gate at Watchet Marina - out of action for the past fortnight following a major mechanical failure - will need to be lifted out for repairs, experts have confirmed. But removing the seven-ton structure, which is designed to maintain water levels in the marina at low tide, will prove more problematic than the repair itself. The Free Press revealed last week that Watchet Harbour Marina, which operates the facility, could be facing a bill running into tens of thousands of pounds to get the gate working again. Initial investigations pointed to one of the hinges holding it in place having sheared off. But marina manager James Burnell said this week it was now clear that the structure of the gate itself had failed. "This is much worse than the problem of a hinge shearing off - that would have just meant it was worn out," he said. "This is about the steel fabric of the gate failing." Heavy duty pumps were brought in at the end of last week to remove the water and allow a detailed examination of the gate. Mr Burnell said a range of options for trying to remove the gate were now being explored. This could involve the tricky positioning of a 130-ton crane on the pier - although it is not clear if this is structurally possible - or bringing in a floating crane, which would also present problems. "The difficulty is that this gate was never designed to be removed," said Mr Burnell. "It can be repaired but it is the removal and reinstatement that will be the problem. "And in the longer term, the worry is why has it broken - is there an inherent fault with the design?" Mr Burnell said the decision on how to remove the gate would not be taken in days: "It will be weeks and it could even be a month - we need to decide the safest way to get it out." The marina, which opened in 2001, is owned by West Somerset Council, and Mr Burnell said officers from the authority were working closely and positively with marina staff to try to resolve a range of issues. However, although the facility is closed to visiting vessels, access is being maintained for the 100 berth holders and the commercial boats. Stop logs usually used during maintenance work have been installed to create a temporary gate, with the top section removed to allow boats to 'float over'. Mr Burnell said the temporary measures were working well: "We're managing to maintain around 90 per cent of the access that boats would normally enjoy so for our berth holders and the commercial boats it is business as usual. "We're working hard to deal with the problems and decide how the necessary repairs will be completed - but it isn't going to happen quickly."