An opportunity to build the four platforms, with material provided by North West Water Ltd, who also helped with the design work, was provided by flood defence maintenance work on the Sluice Watercourse at Banks, near Southport.
At 11am today the platforms will be presented to Malcolm Bannister, of the Southport and District Angling Club, by Environment Agency Area Flood Defence and Water Resources Manager Ian Rowlands. The opening will be by Councillor Andrew Johnson, Chairman of West Lancashire District Council, and Brian O’Hare, Chairman of the Environment Agency’s Area Flood Defence Advisory Committee.
Sluice Watercourse holds pike, roach, bream, tench, perch and carp, and the idea is to provide easy access to the timber-built platforms, equipped with wheelchair ramps and safety barriers that will take up to four anglers.
The EA team will also install stone buttressing to the channel banks for stability. West Lancashire District Council has provided a car park.
Environment Agency Area Fisheries and Recreation Team Leader, Mark Atherton, said “We are obviously keen for angling opportunities to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. These platforms are at an excellent spot for angling and I am sure they will be popular for years to come.”
John Hart, of North West Water, commented: “This fishery is a good example of a partnership to improve the environment for the benefit of the community. We’re pleased to have been able to help local anglers in a way that is accessible for all.”
