Jetty collapses into the river along quayside in Burnham

The pontoon outside the Anchor Pub has begun to fall into the water after one of its floats became dislodged.

Signs have been placed up at the jetty warning people to “keep off” as the “pier has collapsed”.

The site has also been sealed off to prevent anyone getting onto the pontoon.

Work will be undertaken in the New Year in a bid to refloat the jetty.

It is not known when the jetty, which is managed by Maldon District Council, will finally be repaired.

Ron Pratt, chairman of the council’s Community Services Committee said; “One of the floats has become dislodged at the end of the pontoon which has meant that one end has become submerged.

“It will be replaced as soon as possible in the New Year and we would like to thank the Crouch Harbour Authority who assisted us by putting up notices on the pontoon”.

In December 2012 a mussel dredger destroyed a jetty outside the Ye Olde White Harte Hotel.

Eyewitnesses said the boat named Dei Gratia tied up at the jetty and slid down the mud ripping the jetty from the quay wall.

The jetty was not regularly used.