Farron hails potential victory in Morecambe bay safety fight

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jun 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed a legal decision in Wales which could lead to new safety restrictions being put in place in the Morecambe Bay area. The North Western Sea Fisheries Committee and Mr Farron have been pressing for a Fishery Order to be put in place so that fishing in the area can be carried out in a more safe and sustainable manner than has been the case in the past. Previously, the Crown Estate Commissioners had been blocking putting a Fishery Order in place, but a ruling in North Wales has set a precedent that they are unable to do this. The Crown is however appealing the judgement.

In February 2004 23 Chinese cockle pickers were caught out by a rising tide in Morecambe Bay and drowned, Mr Farron wants to see regulations in place so that a similar incident doesn't happen again.

Tim Farron said:

"We should be looking to do everything possible to prevent another disaster such as the one in February 2004, and the best way to ensure this is to put a Fishery Order in place.

"I think it is appalling that the Crown Estates Commissioners are standing in the way of something that would drastically improve safety, this legal decision gives hope that their opposition would not prevent the order coming into force."