Cheshire West and Chester Council are preparing to "gut" Shakerley Mere by April 1st—and they think we won't notice.

The Council has announced plans to forcibly remove our historic fish stocks and impose "hook bait only" rules. They claim this is for "water quality," but the reality is a Backdoor Ban designed to make angling at the Mere impossible.

The Truth About the Council’s Plan:

By banning groundbaits, pellets, and boilies, the Council is deliberately sabotaging the revenue of our local angling club. If it becomes uneconomical for the club to stay, the Council gets exactly what they want: An excuse to push anglers off the water forever.

But here is what the Council isn't telling you:

• Ecological Disaster: Removing the large fish (top predators) will trigger a "Trophic Cascade." Without these fish to maintain balance, small fish populations will explode, eating the tiny organisms that naturally clean the water. The result? More toxic green algae and a stagnant, stinking lake.

• Taxpayer Burden: Anglers are the "Guardians of the Mere." We pay for the fish, we maintain the banks, we clear the litter, and we monitor pollution. If the Council pushes us out, YOU, the taxpayer, will pick up the bill for a neglected, fenced-off pond.

• Risk of Mortality: Mass netting is a death sentence for many of these fish. Moving them also risks spreading deadly diseases to other local waters.

The Council has been dismissive, rude, and unwilling to listen.

We have offered a "Restoration First" alternative that uses solar aeration to fix the oxygen levels—a plan that could be funded by grants at zero cost to the taxpayer. The Council has ignored us.

WE DEMAND THAT CHESHIRE WEST COUNCIL:

1. IMMEDIATELY CANCEL the April 1st fish removal.

2. HALT THE BAIT RESTRICTIONS that make the fishery unviable.

3. ENGAGE with residents on a non-destructive restoration plan that keeps our heritage intact.

Sign this petition to tell the Council: We see through the excuses. Hands off Shakerley Mere!