Weymouth Harbour railings reader poll

Residents and visitors have enjoyed al fresco dining and drinking on the quayside thanks to changes brought in by Dorset Council to enable hospitality businesses to provide outdoor seating, widening the road by removing parking bays.

The council has worked to maintain a balance between the needs of commercial boat owners and hospitality traders, with a fish landing bay area and parking for boat owners, to ensure its primary use as a working harbour can continue.

However one of the more controversial changes earlier this year was the addition of temporary safety railings along Custom House Quay.

While many have spoken in support of the Dorset Council scheme, designed to prevent risk of accidents following around three fatalities from people falling into the harbour, the moves also attracted widespread anger from the community.

Custom House Quay before railings were installed Picture: Graham Hunt

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Many were unhappy about the attempt to stop people sitting on the harbour wall - although in practise this has had only limited success as people are still climbing under and over the railings to sit or stand.

Police quickly intervened when a girl put herself at risk by climbing over to dance on the wall

Weymouth Town Council also criticised the scheme which was announced without consultation or local councillors being informed.

Dorset Council has said the railings are a temporary measure which will stay in place until after the summer season.

Then, the authority will seek feedback from residents and users of the harbour on how these improvements may be made to balance safety with all uses of the Custom House Quay area, ensuring all residents and users of the harbour will have an opportunity to have their say.

The Echo has asked for more information about when this will be carried out, and whether a planning application will be made for a permanent scheme.

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In July a Dorset Council spokesman said: "Dorset Council will continue to monitor the situation at the harbour over the summer while the current barriers remain in place. We will consider the next steps for how we provide future edge protection at the harbourside on a more permanent basis during the remainder of this year."

On Friday in a further response, a spokesman added: "Until we know what the permanent set-up is going to be, we can’t state whether a formal planning process will be required or not."

You can vote on whether you think railings should stay or go in our quick straw poll below.

We encourage readers to take part and debate in the comments but please note that this isn't an official consultation exercise.