Marton Mere Spillway

Marton Mere is a large natural reservoir located near to Blackpool and is designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Biological Heritage Site (BHS). It supports various habitats such as open water, reed beds, grassland as well as pockets of woodland and scrub and is renowned as an outstanding bird sanctuary of international significance.

The old concrete spillway which controlled water levels between the lake and the tidal river Wyre was in poor condition and had been subject to considerable settlement. This scheme comprised of the construction of a more environmentally sympathetic spillway which would allow passage of eels and elvers into the lake, unlike the current structure.

Flows in the old spillway were maintained throughout the construction period and the old structure demolished upon completion of the spillway. Other works undertaken as part of the project included –