Birdlover says: 'Protect lakes'

8:49am Wednesday 4th April 2007

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A 'twitcher' pleaded with an inquiry to protect Radley Lakes yesterday after telling the hearing about years of family visits to the area.

Birdwatcher Gerald Kendall turned up out of the blue to back campaigners trying to stop RWE npower from dumping spent fuel ash from Didcot power station in Thrupp Lake at Radley.

The campaigners are hoping the area will be granted town green status, which would scupper the firm's bid to use the lake.

Mr Kendall is not a member of Save Radley Lakes, but was spurred to give evidence during the four-day inquiry. More than 40 supporters from the campaign group turned up on the second day of the hearing at Radley College.

The campaigners are hoping to persuade the inquiry the area has been used extensively for recreation over the past 20 years.

Mr Kendall, who was one of several people to give evidence, said: "My family and I visited the area 27 times between 1987 and 2004.

"Apart from swimming, the children used to enjoy going there to see the birds and various other wildlife."

Jo Cartmell, Save the Radley Lakes's secretary, said: "We had 20 people who were originally down to give evidence, but additional people keep popping up out of the woodwork. I was surprised when Mr Kendall arrived to give evidence and I thank him for his support - he used the area a lot and kept diaries to prove this."

RWE npower's barrister Charles Mynors cross-examined the witnesses, asking when they had visited, where and why.

RWE says the area is not as widely used as claimed, and should not get town green status. It is expected to offer its evidence today.