Nesting bird holds up lake dump plan

8:00am Saturday 10th March 2007

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A NESTING bird could delay a power company's plans for draining Thrupp Lake, at Radley, until summer.

The old gravel pit is at the centre of a dispute about using it for dumping spent fuel ash from Didcot Power Station.

'We have had to delay our work following the discovery of an active bird's nest. It is important to do the right thing'

npower spokesman Kelly Brown

The delay has been welcomed by Save Radley Lakes campaigners who are calling for a halt to all works.

But RWE npower has insisted it is vital that the lake is used to dump ash to ensure continuous electricity generation.

The company said it would postpone some construction works at Thrupp Lake because of evidence of an active coot's nest near the edge of the lake.

Work may be held up until "late summer" according to the firm.

Independent ecologists, working on behalf of the company, found the nest and work around it was suspended.

Ecologist Charlie Gibson said: "Coots are not rare, but it is extremely important that birds are not disturbed once they have started nesting.

"RWE npower is committed to protecting local wildlife and following our advice has suspended work that would affect birds until later in the year."

Npower was granted planning permission in January and said it would be continuing with preparations for the creation of an ash lagoon at Thrupp Lake.

The works, however, will be limited to protect birds nesting in the area.

Save Radley Lakes campaigner Marjorie White said: "This is really good news.

"For once RWE npower is doing the right thing after so much bad publicity.

"The discovery of the nest will delay work at the lake until later in the year but it is only a delay.

"We and thousands of other people want to see the whole project stopped to protect this beautiful wildlife area from destruction."

John Rainford, manager of Didcot A power station, said: "We have always said that we will do the right thing ecologically in this area, that is why we have an independent ecologist supervising all operations on Thrupp lake.

"It is disappointing that we are not able to complete de-watering ahead of winter generation, and we will have to look at how this will affect the power station's operations."

Company spokesman Kelly Brown added: "We have had to delay our work at the lake following the discovery of the active bird's nest.

"It is important to do the right thing. The discovery of the nest clearly pushes back our construction works possibly until the late summer."

• Save Radley Lakes campaigners will be on the march again today.

Protesters will gather outside Abingdon's Guildhall at 1pm to hear speeches and hear a progress report on the campaign.

After more speeches by the lake, the march will then continue to a meeting at the Bowyer Arms pub in Radley.