Slippery boardwalk at Pickmere Lake closed for six months (From Northwich Guardian)
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Slippery boardwalk at Pickmere Lake closed for six months
8:20am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News
By Emma Rigby
THE closure of a slippery boardwalk around a Cheshire beauty spot has sparked concern with neighbouring parish councils.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) decided to close the boardwalk around Pickmere Lake after deeming it unsafe for the public to use.
The closure came into force yesterday, Monday, and will continue for six months, or until the repair works are completed.
But members of Wincham and Pickmere parish councils feel the closure is unnecessary and a result of CWAC ‘having insufficient funds’ to carry out such repairs.
Rosemary Fogerty, clerk to Pickmere Parish Council, said: “Until recently this path has been well used by residents of Pickmere and Wincham, and by many visitors to the area.
“It is now disappointing to find that due to the slippery state of the path, it has been closed by CWAC.
“We understand that it is likely to be closed for six months, apparently due to CWAC having insufficient funds to attend to the surface of the path.
“Many residents are expressing concern over this action.
“It is a local beauty spot and particularly now, will be greatly missed as our spring approaches.
“It is a great shame that it is closed off to so many people who enjoy walking, have interests in flora and fauna, and all aspects of the open countryside and conservation.”
Wincham Parish Council shares the concerns of Pickmere, with clerk Naomi Morris adding: “The walkway around Pickmere Lake is a local beauty spot and the only reason it has been closed for six months is because the money hasn’t been found to repair it.
“It seems daft that people can’t use it throughout the spring.”
A CWAC spokesman said: “The repair work is included in a list of refurbishment projects for the next financial year.
“However, a final decision will only be taken once the scheme has been considered alongside other priorities.”
Details of alternative routes, where available, will be signposted on site.
- What do you think about the closure? Email emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk
bagpussruth says...
9:04pm Tue 12 Mar 13
The walk around the lake is a lovely one for young children and in a time where we are trying to encourage kids to get outside and enjoy the outdoors it appears the council are intent on obstructing this. Surely they receive a yearly budget starting from April so why does it matter if the money is spent now or later in the year?