A NEW pontoon, improving links between Burnham and Wallasea Island, could be approved.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have submitted a planning application to Rochford District Council.

Proposals include the installation of a floating pontoon and jetty at a point on the footpath on the sea wall.

The pontoon would support a passenger ferry from Burnham.

Funding for the pontoon has not been identified.

At the same time, the Crouch Coastal Communities Team (CCT) has been exploring projects to improve the ferry crossings between the Maldon and Rochford districts.

They have identified the existing town pontoon as the best site for a Burnham ferry point.

Original plans, put forward in February, were for a brand new pontoon to be built for the ferry crossing, along with a visitor centre for people boarding the ferry.