Angry villagers blockade quayside

Protesters have said Mistley Quay could be completely fenced off

Villagers have blockaded a historic quayside in Essex to prevent a controversial fence being completed.

Trent Wharfage Ltd is accused of making a "unilateral declaration of war on an ancient community" by erecting a fence around Mistley Quay, near Manningtree.

Parish councillor Angela Kilmartin said it looked like a wartime prison camp.

The company said it was required by law to install a 6ft (1.8 metre) safety fence along a 130m length of the port which is currently not in use.

Mistley Parish Councillor Mrs Kilmartin said: "The fence is not fully up because protesters, working in shifts, are barricading the entrance to the quay with their vehicles 24 hours a day.

It's like 1941 - everyone with a skill has offered to help in any way they can to stop the fence Mistley Parish Councillor Angela Kilmartin

"There are currently about seven vehicles in a line there blocking the remainder of unfenced land.

"It's like a German prisoner-of-war camp down here so I am totally behind the protesters.

"It's like 1941 - everyone with a skill has offered to help in any way they can to stop the fence.

"The fence has blocked almost all access to the River Stour."

She said lawyers were being consulted because a public right of way had not been taken into account.

'Free the Quay'

Mrs Kilmartin claims the emergency services would no longer have been able to bring anyone injured in a river accident back to shore had the protesters not prevented the remainder of the fence being erected.

"It is a unilateral declaration of war on an ancient community by Trent Wharfage - it is utterly disgraceful behaviour."

A local organisation called "Free the Quay" was set up after about 300 villagers attended a public meeting on Wednesday night.

A spokesman for Tendring District Council said officers were currently checking whether Trent Wharfage required planning permission to erect the fence.

In a statement Trent Wharfage Ltd said: "The company is following the requirement of the Docks Regulations 1988 by installing a 1.8m safety fence along a 130m length of the port currently not in use for discharge and loading operations.

"The Health and Safety Executive has advised the company of its legal obligations under the Docks Regulations 1988 framework and health and safety legislation."

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