The South Dock River Walls

We, the undersigned, are petitioning the British Waterways not to close access to South Dock River Walls ( Liverpool)The area in question is an approximate 2 miles stretch of the River Mersey from the Albert to Herculaneum Docks.

A little background information ( Taken from an open leter from NORTH WEST ASSOCIATION OF SEA ANGLING CLUBS )


1. The area in question is an approximate 2 miles stretch of the River Mersey from the Albert to Herculaneum Docks.

2. This area was part of the South Dockland redevelopment financed by EEC grants and Public Funds costing many millions of pounds Within this area is the now popular Albert Dock area with other developments including Marina, business/industrial areas and
Apartments and housing.

3. As part of the regeneration a very attractive promenade was developed with lighting, safety railing, and public walkways along the river frontage.

4. The development was carried out by Merseyside Development Corporation under whos (control it remained until the MDC was wound up in 1998, when control of the area came under English Partnerships and in July 2003 was transferred to British Water ways.

5, The Estate is currently under the management of Mr. Bill Broadbent, who is employed by British Waterways (B.W.) as Harbourmaster and whose office is based within the Albert Dock complex Tel: 0151 709 6558.

6. Prior to and subsequent to the redevelopment this area has been regularly used as an access to the River Mersey by Sea Anglers, both local and more recently from other areas of the N.W. region and Merseyside. Currently the access is easy, the venue is both safe and comfortable to fish, making it very suitable for the younger and elderly anglers. The quality of fishing is excellent, especially in the late autumn and winter period with the abundance of Whiting and Codling in the river.

7. The promenade is also very popular with walkers, cyclists, joggers, roller bladders etc.

8. We have been advised by B.W. That the area is private, the promenade is not a public thorofare and that for safety reasons B.W. do not allow angling from its property at any time or from locations on its Liverpool South Dock Estate. This we find most strange in view of the hundreds of miles of canals and other waterways controlled by B.W. where angling has been a major activity for 100+ years.