BASC has formally objected to plans for a new toll bridge crossing the Mersey to prevent the loss of wildfowling opportunities near to the proposed site.
BASC has been lobbying on behalf of the Halton Wildfowlers Association, who would lose their long standing shooting opportunity if the bridge proposal went ahead, by submitting evidence to a public inquiry.
BASC’s rural land development manager, Paul Williamson, 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 reducing the value of the shooting on the leased areas to the east of the proposed bridge. Given this significant loss of shooting opportunity, we have objected to the Mersey Gateway Bridge Order.”
The public inquiry into the £340 million Mersey Gateway crossing between Widnes and Runcorn opened on 19 May and is expected to last for 5 weeks.
ENDS