Hornsea fishermen's fears over launching boats following slipway work

East Riding of Yorkshire Council carried out emergency work on the slipway in December

Fishermen in Hornsea say they cannot launch or land boats safely, despite emergency work on the beach.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council removed tonnes of sticky mud from the beach and extended the concrete slipway in December.

Lobster and crab fishermen said it was still difficult to launch during lower tides.

The council said launches were affected by factors - such as water levels and the type of boat - beyond its control.

Fisherman Andy Faichney said the area that was excavated was better, but they still needed more mud taking away and a new slipway.

"The issue is the rolling swell," he said.

"Having to launch at low tide is much more challenging and your boat can be swamped before you've managed to launch. You're putting men's lives at risk."

The work by the council involved digging out mud from the bottom of the slipway and removing a large "step" onto the beach.

Fishing boats used to be able to drive off the side of the slipway to access the beach at high tide, but now the sand has gone it is too big a drop, fishermen said.

Andy Faichney said the problems launching boats were "putting men's lives at risk"

The council said it carried out the work as there "was a risk to the launches of Hornsea Inshore Rescue".

It added that it had no "statutory responsibility to maintain boat-launch capability at the slipway for the fishing community at all times".

Councillor Barbara Jefferson said the authority was looking at a long-term solution which could involve moving the slipway.

"The design and cost estimate has been shared with users," she said.

"Unfortunately, at this time the council doesn't have the existing capital budget to carry out these permanent works.

"We are in total support of the users and we are still keen to explore alternative options to find a solution to these challenges, and we are committed to working with the slipway users to find some external funding."