AN ambitious project to turn the Dengie into a tourist trap has been delayed.

Maldon District Council successfully bid for £292,000 from the Coastal Community Fund in 2015.

The council and Magnox, which manages the Bradwell power station site, contributed a further £17,500 and £20,000 to give a total of just under £330,000 to the Dengie Gateway project.

It aims to extend Burnham’s pontoon, establish a 75-mile coastal trail and promote the district as a visitor destination.

Work had been expected to be completed this month.

But after seeking special dispensation from the government the council has been allowed to continue the project into 2017.

Elements yet to be completed include new signs along the Dengie coastline and work to further develop five locations identified as Saltmarsh Hubs.

The ‘hubs’ at Woodrolfe Road car park in Tollesbury, Daisy Meadow car park in Heybridge, Maldon’s Promenade Park, the St Peters Chapel car park in Bradwell on Sea and Riverside Park and Burnham train station, will provide “enhanced” visitor information.

The council expects the project to attract 50,000 more visitors and an ex- tra £1.8 million tourism spend.

A spokesman for the council said: “The signage, and other elements of the project, were due to be completed by the end of 2016.

“However owing to savings in some areas of the project, the council and the Tourism Team was keen to explore other options, take advantage of other opportunities and maximise the delivered value to the community.

“As such the final look and design of the Saltmarsh Hubs is being worked on to ensure it provides enticing and useful information and shows the best of the Saltmarsh Coast.”

Ron Pratt, chairman of community services committee, said “These works are great for the visitor offer in Burnham, supporting people to get the most out of their visit.”

Work already completed includes a new tourism website, improvements to the Saltmarsh 75 event and improvements to the quay and Riverside car park in Burnham.