A fresh appeal has been launched to track down the owners of more than 100 "dangerous" abandoned boats.
The boats, alongside dinghies, trailers and marine items, have been deserted at Banks Road slipway on the Heswall shore. Earlier this year, Wirral Council urged the owners to come forward after the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England (NE) raised concerns that large number of the boats in this area are in serious disrepair with the potential to cause safety and environmental hazards.
The Dee Estuary is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its important habitat and bird populations. As such, t he council has a legal duty to ensure the shore is safe for users and the environment.
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Councillor Liz Grey, chair of Wirral Council’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee said: “We are trying to find boat owners so we can make plans to get the boats that are disused, dangerous or abandoned moved on and ensure the area is safe for people, the environment and wildlife.
“We appreciate that after some boats being there for many years this might seem unexpected but in particular, we have to make sure that boats that have been left to rot aren’t damaging our local environment any further."
The council is continuing to use different methods to try and find owners of items and, at this stage, isn't looking at any legal action against them. If the owners don't come forward, the legal removal and disposal may have to follow.
If your boat, dinghy, trailer or other marine item is at Heswall shore and you haven't been in touch, you are advised to email parksandverges@wirral.gov.uk as soon as possible.
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