I’M working hard to do something about the boat wrecks on Walney Channel.
I can’t promise a quick fix, but I can pledge to do what I can, and we are making progress with this issue.
Abandoned and decaying boats have littered the channel for decades.
In recent times they’ve increased in number and an unofficial inspection made last year from the footbridge near North Scale to opposite the old slipways counted scores of vessels left to rot.
Apart from being unsightly and giving a poor impression, it’s been said that some of the discarded vessels can cause navigational problems for other craft.
These aren’t just harmless, seaweed-caked pieces of wood.
In the past, local authorities of various kinds have investigated what might be done to clear the wrecks from the channel sides, but complications about ownership and the usual red tape have resulted in those efforts just running into sand.
After looking at the shipwrecks and listening to the concerns of local residents I want more to be done to sort the issue and worked to help bring together the relevant parties.
The muddy beaches from mean low-tide to mean high-tide are owned by the 10th Duke of Buccleuch and owner of Boughton Estates.
And so last week at the Round House Hub and Café on Biggar Bank members of my team met with Boughton Estates manager Sam Rees, Barrow Sailing Club commodore Mike Furness along with Walney councillors to discuss what might be done.
I’m glad to be able to report that the meeting was productive.
There was agreement that the wrecks should be removed for the public good, for the look of the channel and for reasons of safety and improved navigation.
Westmorland and Furness Council legal officers are being contacted about maritime law and how to set in train legal processes, including the issuing of notices to owners of the wrecks – where they can be found.
And I’m pleased to report that Boughton Estates have shown their intention to help with the removal of the wrecks, once all the legal requirements have been met.
There’s still some way to go before this issue is resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, but positive steps in the right direction have finally been made.
It has been made known to me that one old boat, which is still moored near North Scale, took part in the evacuation of British troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940.
If anyone has further information about this vessel please let me know: michelle.scrogham.mp@parliament.uk