West Kirby Marine Lake could close for a year

May 21 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Hoylake and West Kirby News

WEST Kirby Marine Lake will close for almost a year because its crumbling outer wall is decaying and could become a danger to walkers.

Work is due to start this November and is expected to be complete by spring 2009

But after reports to Wirral Council said “the rate of degradation was increasing”, councillors say it may need to close sooner.

The Marine Lake was originally opened in 1899 as a leisure facility, with the outer wall retaining the water in the lake and providing a walkway for the public.

The construction also reduced the exposure of South Parade to tidal attack during times of storm.

But by the early 1980s, the outer wall had deteriorated and in 1986/87 needed to be demolished and rebuilt, with a life expectancy of up to 25 years.

New reports to the council said: “If works are not carried out, then the outer wall will become unsafe for the public to use, debris from the failing wall will accumulate within the lake and the protective effect of the wall on South Parade will be lost.”

There are also concerns that rising sea levels, increasing stormy weather and the increasing age of the outer wall are all likely to accelerate the rate of deterioration.

The work will cost £75,000 with the money being planned to come out of the council’s capital programme.

Hoylake and Meols councillor Gerry Ellis (pictured) said: “A figure of £½m is coming out of this year’s funding and £¼m is coming out of that for next year.

“The council is also applying to the Environmental Agency for support.”

Cllr Ellis, who is a member of the authority’s Tourism and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added: “This is a real blow to West Kirby because the lake is very attractive. But if it’s unsafe, then it needs to be closed even if work isn’t ready to begin.”