IN an hour-long presentation to Somerset West and Taunton Council’s scrutiny committee last Wednesday, members of Watchet’s Mud Working Group claimed that urgent action was needed to solve Watchet harbour’s serious mud problems.

And they said that a £500,000 full-depth dredge was the best answer, followed by a continuous dredging programme.

The presentation outlined the basis of a business plan which the group hoped would “return Watchet marina to a water-filled, functioning and safe marina, accessible via a safe dredged outer harbour”.

After the meeting, district council localities manager Chris Hall said the group’s presentation would answer some of the public’s concerns “that no-one was doing anything” and the matter would go back to the council in due course.

In its report, the mud group pointed out that rising mud levels were causing serious problems in both the marina and the outer harbour. Marina users also had to contend with the failure of the impounded water gate and the lack of lights controlling boats entering and leaving.

The group also claimed that the marina was currently delivering only a quarter of its potential contribution to the local economy.

For the full report, buy tomorrow’s Free Press.