News: Ribble Estuary Could Become 'Regional Park'

Wednesday, 28th January 2004
(PR 1053)

WILDLIFE fans could be flocking to a massive 30 km2 wildlife haven on the Ribble Estuary - the UK's most important river estuary for birds - if the North West Development Agency (NWDA) gives the go ahead for the creation of a new Regional Park.

These parks are large geographical areas, linked by natural landscape, where leisure and environmental projects would be promoted in order to encourage regeneration. The project would turn the largely unknown area into a publicly accessible haven for all kinds of flora and fauna.

A steering group led by key partners Lancashire County Council, Sefton Borough Council, RSPB, English Nature and Environment Agency has been formed to take forward the Regional Park idea. They believe that a positive decision from the NWDA could open the door for a range of projects that would to benefit wildlife, communities and regeneration.

A feasibility study carried out for the steering group by consultants Amion and Gillespies, with support from the NWDA is seen as the first step in enabling a substantive bid for funding to be developed. Lancashire County Councillor Brian Johnson and Lord Fearn of Sefton Borough Council witnessed the unveiling of these proposals at a well attended meeting at County Hall, Preston. The proposal received over whelming support from a wide range of interests including representatives of the local authorities around the estuary.

Laurence Rose, North West Regional Director of the RSPB, said:

"It is vital that we conserve our natural heritage, not only for the wildlife dependent on these areas, but also to benefit local businesses and economies. Studies have shown that visitors to RSPB reserves spent an estimated £11 million in local economies. With an increasing number of people enjoying our natural heritage and wildlife, places like the Ribble Estuary will become even more important in the future."

County Councillor Brian Johnson, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Urban and Rural Regeneration, said:

"The Ribble Estuary is one of Lancashire and the North West's most valuable natural assets and at the moment its potential is untapped. We see the NWDA's decision on Regional Parks as a possible springboard that could draw in funding for a range of projects.

"Regeneration is not just about tidying up urban grot spots - it's also about using our expertise to create sustainable economies for rural areas. Projects like this often lead to improvements in the image and environmental quality of the area, which in turn help to attract new investment. That is why we have joined with the RSPB and other organisations in the area to give our support, should the NWDA go for the Regional Park idea."

For further information please contact: Martin Crabtree on 01772 533536

martin.crabtree@css.lancscc.gov.uk