The BASC launches objection to Mersey Gateway on behalf of Halton Wildfowlers and The Habitat Trust

Jun 18 2009 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has lodged a formal objection to the Mersey Gateway project.

The group – which dates back to 1908 – had been lobbying on behalf of the Halton Wildfowlers Association, which it claimed would see its shooting opportunities diminished by the scheme.

Paul Williamson, BASC’s rural land development manager, said: “The movement of birds from the internationally important areas to the west of an existing bridge to the east of the proposed site of the new bridge is likely to be reduced significantly during the period of construction.

“This would reduce the value of the shooting on the leased areas to the east of the proposed bridge.”

A Mersey Gateway spokesman said: “Halton Council considers that a potential long term solution to avoid any localised conflict could be through wildfowling interests, being represented in the proposed Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust which would be created if the project went ahead.

“We note the concerns of the BASC, but we’re in urgent need of this new bridge.”