Proposals to decommission three Barnstaple quays

North Devon Council said a plan would be needed if the sites were kept as marine facilities

Plans are being considered to remove marine facilities from three quays in Devon which would prevent boats docking there.

North Devon Council said it was facing costs of £500,000 to bring all facilities at Castle Quay, Rolle Quay and Fremington Quay in Barnstaple to comply with the new Port Marine Safety Code.

The cheaper option, of about £75,000, was to remove buoys, ladders and mooring rings and decommission the sites, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Critics said that could mean the quays never being fully used again.

The council has asked for a full consultation with water users, including paddleboarders and gig clubs, and has agreed to pay £30,000 for structural surveys.

Malcolm Prowse, leader of the North Devon Independents group on the authority, said: "If we go ahead with this, we are saying Barnstaple is no longer a port and never will be again."

Council officers said it was likely that slipways could still be used by rowers and paddleboarders if the sites were no longer designated.

The council said Castle Quay currently had occasional usage by vessels but there was no known usage at Fremington or Rolle Quay, but it added it was not in touch with boatowners and did not manage the quays.

Mr Prowse said: "We have to decide whether in the future we are never going to need these facilities. It would mean that a replica sailing ship could never tie up again at Barnstaple."

He said the council need to talk with the community to get the final and right decision.