| Seaforth |
ACCESS TO SEAFORTH NATURE RESERVE
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is holding discussions with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company and the Port of Liverpool Police with a view to increasing the number of birdwatchers allowed access to Seaforth Nature Reserve.
Entry to the Port of Liverpool is tightly controlled under international regulations regarding port security and anyone entering the docks is required to hold a personal pass and vehicle pass issued by the Port Police.
The Port Police and MDHC have indicated their willingness to increase the number of these passes issued to birdwatchers.
The existing system whereby groups or individuals can gain access provided they give 7 days notice will not be affected.
In order to gauge the likely demand for passes LWT is asking birders to indicate whether they would be likely to apply if they do become available. At the moment we have no clear idea of how many passes are likely to be issued. The likely cost will be in the region of £5 per annum to cover the Port Police’s admin costs.
In order to qualify, birders must be or become members of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Pass-holders will be expected to visit the reserve on a fairly regular basis – people just looking for an insurance policy against the next (long overdue) North American passerine need not apply!
Please note that every visitor needs a pass, a vehicle pass does not give entitlement to bring non-passholders into the docks.
Please let me know if you think you are likely to apply for a pass, by email to swhite@lancswt.org.uk or by writing to Seaforth Nature Reserve, Port of Liverpool, L21 1JD.
Please let me know everyone’s names and email and postal addresses.
I’ll keep everyone in touch with progress on negotiations but am very optimistic of their success.
Steve White, 27 July 2007.