Anger as 'prison' fence erected at country park

A new fence which has been put up around a lake at a country park has been met with anger by visitors who have likened it to a "prison" or "zoo", park trustees said.

The 2m-high (7ft) structure is being erected at Astbury Mere Country Park in Congleton, Cheshire, by the Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society, which owns the water and banks.

The Astbury Mere Trust, which owns the rest of the park, said the plans were drawn up without consultation and hundreds of people have voiced their opposition.

The angling society said the decision to put up the fence was made following issues including drinking, swimming and littering at the site.

The trust said the fence was being put up against its wishes and the society only met with trustees after construction started.

"They basically said it's their land and they can do on it what they want," a spokesperson said.

"We have received many letters of outrage as to what is happening to our country park. Many refer to it as now looking like a prison or a zoo."

According to the trust, a petition at the park's cafe protesting against the fence had had hundreds of signatures and some fishermen commented "on how awful it looked".

Carol Scott, who visits the site regularly, said the fence was "not fantastic".

"I know the anglers say there are problems, especially at night, but it doesn't look great and in places it makes it hard to see the waters," she added.

Another visitor, Julia Norman, said she could understand why it had been done but the angling society "went about it the wrong way".

She added: "I wouldn't say I'm over the moon about it but what can you do?"

Roger Watts, chairman of the angling society, said the decision was made in response to drinkers, swimmers and litterers, particularly during the summer.

"When the sun comes out, the idiots come out, unfortunately," Watts said.

"As soon as the sun shines and we have hot weather, we end up with a bank full of sunbathers, drinkers and swimmers.

"You can't get to fishing because they're there and if you ask them to move, there is a lot of abusive behaviour. "

Anglers had "put up with it for years", Watts added, and the club got to the position where it "could afford to do something about it".

"If we don't do something, we're going to start losing anglers and the lake is owned by the angling club," he added.

"You're stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. We have a duty of care to anglers while they are fishing."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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