NEW railings could be installed at Portishead marina - in a bid to stop children falling 40ft into the muddy docks. North Somerset Council director of development, David Turner made a special visit to the marina's waterfront to inspect the current railing

NEW railings could be installed at Portishead marina - in a bid to stop children falling 40ft into the muddy docks.North Somerset Council director of development, David Turner made a special visit to the marina's waterfront to inspect the current railings following safety concerns from residents.Now Mr Turner is to talk to dock developers about installing additional railings around the marina.Fears about the lack of railings were raised at Portishead and North Weston Town Council's annual meeting by local resident David Atkins.Mr Atkins, of Drakes Way, told councillors: "The marina area in Swansea Docks is a lot safer and the railings are built so a child could not get through."Unless something is done soon there is likely to be a very serious accident."A spokesman for North Somerset Council said: "Mr Turner considers that there is a potential risk for unattended children so he is going to talk to the developer about providing extra railings." Portishead councillor John H Clark said he had raised the issue of waterfront safety at the marina with North Somerset Council on several occasions.Cllr John H Clark said: "There is a particular problem at low tide, which is most of the time."If an adult or a child fell, they would fall 40ft onto mud."Apart from that, if someone were to fall off the quayside, there are very few places they could climb back up."There are big gaps in the railings and horizontal bars which kids climbing on them could fall through."As far as we know, there have been no accidents so far, but homes nearby are not fully occupied yet."I am relieved to hear that it looks as if additional railings are to be put in place.