A council has expressed fears that a beauty spot could be damaged by heavy goods vehicles.

Maldon Town Council's planning committee has strongly objected to plans to improve the town's Promenade Park, saying vehicles could damage the parkland, as they would be using the primary access route from the main entrance off Park Drive.

It also objects to the closure of the public footpath running alongside the river wall at the prom which could stay shut for 18 months while the work is carried out.

Thousands of tonnes of sediment are to be excavated from the Marine Lake and dumped on land south of Maldon Yacht Club.

But the town council believes the materials should be transported to temporary jetties and removed by barge in preference to heavy goods vehicles.

Where it is necessary to use heavy goods vehicles, it feels contractors should be instructed to use the bypass and enter the park via the civic amenity site access road.

A diversion is planned for users of the footpath so that it runs to the south of Marine Lake.

Published Wednesday June 9, 2004

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