A BEAUTY SPOT could be closed off to the public if a decision is made not to provide safety provisions at the site.

Residents and community leaders have said members of the public should be allowed to use Allen's Quay at Mistley as a walkway and to moor boats, The site lies between the main operational area, Thorn Quay to the east, and a warehouse, storage area and weighbridge to the west.

But there are no safety provisions, such as a lifebelts and ladders at the site, which is causing concern.

Ian Rose, chairman of Mistley Parish Council, said: "It does need a ladder there as a safety measure and then there's no reason why it can't continue to be used as a quay."

Rebecca Kenneison, clerk of Manningtree Town Council, said: "There's no ladder there so if anyone was to fall in, you couldn't get in to save them and children have fallen in there before now.

"If you're unlucky, it could be dangerous.

"It's probably not safe for children - and there are children who live in houses that back on to the quay.

"All it would take is for a toddler to run off and fall into the water."

Jim Ensom, secretary of the Stour Sailing Club, which is based in Mistley, said: "We would like to maintain the public access so you can sail up to it and get on and off, and we maintain that it's right to do that. It's been a public access for hundreds of years."

Mr Ensom said if someone was to fall in the quay it would be difficult to get them out again if there was no ladder.