Mistley: No room for charity cruisers at quay (From Gazette)

Mistley: No room for charity cruisers at quay

9:00am Monday 22nd September 2008

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A charity which provides sailing opportunities for blind people was disappointed after an annual cruise had to be rescheduled because of a health and safety row.

The East Anglian Sailing Trust (East), which has been running cruises for 15 years, was planning to moor up at Allen’s Quay, Mistley.

But the charity has sailed into the middle of a row between quay owners Trent Wharfage and Mistley residents after the firm put up a two-metre high fence.

Trent Wharfage said it was following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, but residents claim the fence spoils the view.

Protest group Free the Quay has been fighting the fence ever since its introduction.

Now the fence has been bolted along the whole length of the quay.

East trustee Bill Smith said Saturday’s visit was the last blind cruise planned for the 2008 season.

He said: “The charity is disappointed because Mistley Quay has been in our itinerary since we have been running these blind cruises and it has made it necessary to change our plans.”

East skippers moored up at Harwich’s Ha’Penny pier instead.

A Free the Quay spokesperson said: “We are appalled that among the very first vessels to be unable to tie up at the quay is one run by this charity for visually-impaired young people."

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said the further representations being made by the residents were being considered by the council.

“The company has also been asked to provide further information to the council on this issue,” he added.

Trent Wharfage was unavailable for comment.

• Police have been forced to step up their patrols around the controversial quay after a section of fence was vandalised.

Metal in one of the fence panels was dented on Friday night.

Protest group Free the Quay said the vandalism was nothing to do with them.

Sgt Paul Redgewell, of Harwich police, said “No matter what people’s opinions are, it is criminal damage and they will be arrested.”

Anyone with information about Friday’s incident is urged to contact Harwich police on 01255 241312.

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