CONSTRUCTION work on a new structure to replace the observation tower at Risley Moss Nature Reserve, which was destroyed by fire, will begin later this year.

Arsonists burned the near 40-year-old wooden viewing platform to the ground in an attack in July 2017, with the culprits still remaining at large.

Warrington Guardian:

But the council has now pledged £275,000 towards a replacement tower, with a £250,000 grant being provided by WREN and a further £10,000 having been raised through crowdfunding.

And the new £535,000 structure is set to take shape ‘in the near future’, with construction due to begin later this year.

Warrington Borough Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “We know how important the Risley Moss tower was for local people, and that’s why we’ve been working so hard to secure the necessary funding to construct a worthy replacement.

“The fantastic support we’ve received from the public, the Risley Moss Action Group and WREN means that we will be able to deliver the new observation tower in the near future.

“I’m really excited about the plans and the iconic design concept that has been developed, which aims to provide an attractive, accessible and robust structure that will be a valuable asset to the nature reserve.”

WBC has undertaken a ‘feasibility project’ to established what type of structure should be built and the best method of construction.

It says that the new tower will be ‘robust, resistant to vandalism, cost-effective to maintain and accessible for all’.

Warrington Guardian:

The aftermath of the fire

Cllr Tony Higgins, the council’s executive board member for leisure and community, added: “I’m delighted we have secured the necessary funding, and we will now be looking to finalise the construction design to enable the new observation tower to become a reality as soon as possible.

“The replacement structure will be made possible through the generosity of local people and the continued support from WREN, who have played a huge part in helping us to achieve our vision to provide high quality park facilities for communities across the borough.”

Finalised plans will be revealed to the public during an event at the nature reserve in June.

Risley Moss Action Group chairman Dr Paul Speake said: “RIMAG is delighted that Warrington Borough Council’s considerable efforts in bidding for WREN funding to support construction of a replacement for the observation tower have borne fruit.

“The community, both locally and beyond, has once again shown the high regard in which they hold Risley Moss.

“In the early 1990s, they came together to prevent the closure of the reserve and now - when another problem had arisen - they have once more shown their solidarity in helping raise over £10,000 which contributed greatly to this successful bid.

“We hope that the community will continue to be involved in the next stage, a consultation on the proposed design, that will ultimately lead to construction work in the autumn of 2019.”