A Public Asset in Crisis

Shakerley Mere, a cherished 17-acre community park, is being managed into decline. Cheshire West and Chester Council are currently pursuing a strategy of "Backdoor Bans"—restricting angling and removing fish—while ignoring the true sources of pollution.

In recent legal correspondence, the Council’s Disclosure Team admitted that the Mere is subject to "Environmental Risk Assessments on Contaminated Land." Yet, instead of tackling the industrial toxins from the M6 motorway and agricultural runoff, they are targeting the angling community as a "distraction."

The "Four Pillars" Alternative: A Zero-Cost Solution

We, the undersigned, reject the Council’s secretive and destructive management. We formally demand that the Council adopts The Four Pillars of Ecological Restoration—a comprehensive plan researched and submitted by an independent member of the public.

The Four Pillars include:

1. THE M6 SHIELD: Installing nature-based reed-beds to filter motorway heavy metals, funded by National Highways.

2. THE NUTRIENT SPONGE: Using floating ecosystem islands to soak up farm chemicals, funded by the Environment Agency.

3. THE RECOVERY BREATH: Restoring water oxygen levels through industrial aeration, funded by Angling Direct & Angling Trust grants.

4. THE STEWARDSHIP SEAL: Transitioning to Volunteer Park Stewards for 24/7 care and zero-litter—saving the taxpayer thousands in contractor fees.

Our Demands:

• IMMEDIATE TRANSPARENCY: Release the APEM technical report to the public now. No more "Contaminated Land" excuses.

• PAUSE THE BANS: Stop all fish removals and bait restrictions until a full Public Consultation has taken place.

• ADOPT THE PARTNERSHIP: Meet with National Highways and the Environment Agency to secure the £15,000+ in external grants identified in the "Four Pillars" plan.

Shakerley Mere belongs to the people, not the bureaucracy. Sign today to demand a clean, free, and transparent future for our Mere.