an invitation to come to the aid of Watchet’s troubled marina – and bring in powerful dredgers which, it is claimed, could solve its massive mud problem in less than two months.

Chris Odling-Smee, director of the Cardiff-based Marine Group which runs a 350-berth marina at Cardiff, and other marinas at Bury Port, Aberystwyth and Port Dinorwic, said this week: “The problems facing the present marina management are well known and we have the assets and expertise to help solve them, and we would welcome the opportunity to be invited to do so.

“Watchet marina has enormous potential and the present situation is a tragedy for both the town and the boating community. We see it as potentially a vital part of a network of Bristol Channel marinas which would bring prosperity to everyone involved.

“But the lack of dredging and major maintenance over the past two years continues to drive away both tourists and sailors and major technical and economic strategy is urgently needed. We could put all this in place if we were asked to become involved, but so far none of our offers have been taken up.”

This latest development comes after Somerset West and Taunton Council’s decision to serve Watchet Harbour Marina boss Tim Taylor with an enforcement order which could result in court action to force the company to hand back its lease if dredging and other essential work is not done.

The council decided to take a “more robust approach” after there had been no positive improvement following the issue of repair notices involving dredging and lock-gate operation.

A report to councillors said that an audit had revealed breaches of the lease and added: “Our lawyers have been instructed to issue a section 146 notice for these breaches. This is a formal legal process which is not acted upon by the operator would see the council issue proceedings to see the forfeiture of the lease through the courts.”

Mr Odling-Smee said that Marine Group, which is currently involved in negotiations to build a landmark marina at Barry, had a wide range of experience of working with private developers and local authorities to explore market demands and the benefits and challenges surrounding harbour management and development.

He described Watchet marina as “the potential jewel in the Bristol Channel Crown” and believed that a “capital dredge” using the latest water-injection equipment could clear the harbour in six-to-eight weeks.

No-one at Watchet Marina was available for comment.

Read the full report in today’s Free Press.