Port Regeneration Threat

FUNDING for a £14.8 million scheme to regenerate Leigh Port could be in question if delays with Natural England are not resolved soon, it has been reported.

 Levelling Up cash awarded by the Government to shore up the Old Town’s fishing industry for future generations could be lost if the money is not spent by the deadline of March 2025.

 A council audit report says progress on the Leigh Port scheme “remains limited due to ongoing conversations with Natural England.”

 As part of the project, the quay is set to undergo resurfacing, the wall will be reconstructed, and the entrance will be expanded to facilitate improved vehicle access.

 Not only will this endeavour mitigate the risk of flooding for local residents, but will focus on the removal of silt from a three-kilometre section of the creek.

 Leigh Creek is reportedly silting up, so this action is urgent to ensure both boat accessibility and the survival of Leigh’s fishing industry.

 However, it is the work on the Creek that is proving problematic to resolve with Natural England, whilst a planning application for this work cannot be submitted until the talks are completed.

 Peter Wexham, ex fisherman and councillor for Leigh Elms Ward, said: “I’m pretty disappointed at what’s going on – it’s been happening for years.

 “After years of talking with Natural England when I was on Southend Council originally, the consultation has ignored our advice and hit a brick wall.

 “Natural England say the scheme must not affect the eelgrass that the Brent Geese feed on and it also has to be habitat-creating.

 “I suggest to them that they get on with the engineering work behind the fishing sheds and leave the creek out of it for now, so at least something will get done before the money has to be given back.”

 The council has yet to announce a chosen contractor for the work, but wants to start the improvements next month.

 Paul Collins, councillor responsible for finance, assets and investments, said: “We’re in conversations with members of Parliament because we want the Government to talk to this body on our behalf and try and push them along.

 “Natural England are protecting the environment and will only allow work like this at certain times of the year so there is a very narrow window and they’re being very cautious about this project, digging into the creek and putting new walls up on the edge of the shell fish areas.”

 He added that negotiations would be able to extend the deadline.

Coun Wexham added: “They’ve been working for three years on this already and had two extensions.

“Time is running out.

 “On behalf of the fishing industry of Leigh, I am extremely disappointed. And the same goes for the Cliffs Pavilion: the revamp of that venue is also from the same Levelling Up funding, and both schemes are tied together, so if one fails the other one will.”

 Leigh fisherman Paul Gilson commented: We’ve been on about this for so long and then to lose it at the last minute would be a bit of a tragedy.”

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