The all-tide landing has reached the end of its life and has been shut until funds can be found to repair it.

Members of the board set up to oversee the structure at Queenborough Harbour made the decision last week and it was closed on Monday.

It is estimated it would cost more than £60,000 to repair the walkway, which leads to the floating pontoon, as it is so badly damaged.

The gate is also broken, meaning boat owners can get through it without having to pay – so a lot of fees have not been collected.

At the moment, cash is being spent out often on lots of little repairs but Swale council’s representative on the board Cllr Peter Marchington says it needs a permanent solution.

It is owned by Queenborough Yacht Club (QYC) and at one stage it was going to be transferred to the Queenborough Harbour Trust, but this never went ahead.

Now the board has been forced to shut it as it is becoming a danger.

Cllr Marchington said: “It’s reached the end of its life and is an accident waiting to happen.

“There’s no income coming from the gate – only the honest people – and no one has been doing overnight collections. The best interests of Queenborough are at the heart of this decision.”

He said it is hoped it will be reopening in the spring if the money can be sought to fix it permanently.

Alan Milton, QYC’s representative on the board, said: “The damage is to the extent that it would use up all the funds that we have in the pot so we would be absolutely skint.

“It’s better to close it rather than [keep] spending out.”

He said there isn’t a plan in place for how to raise the money but appealed to people to come forward and help.

“It’s a message to the whole Island that we need help,” he added.

“We put it there and it’s been a marvellous facility but it’s also been a headache with the lack of support.

“There are other businesses in Queenborough which benefit from it.”