CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after funding was secured for a permanent fence in Middlewich to protect swans and potentially save motorists’ lives.

British Waterways has agreed to pay £2,500 for fencing along the Trent and Mersey Canal in Booth Lane.

Work is now expected to start after July 27 when the Swan Support Group becomes a member of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).

David Baldacchino, manager of Manchester and Pennine Waterways, said: “British Waterways was approached by residents after a number of swans had been killed on the road.

“Discussions have been ongoing to finalise a plan for the installation of a fence following overwhelming community support to protect the swans.”

Booth Lane’s temporary orange fence has caused a rift in the community since it was erected in late 2008.

Many residents consider it an eyesore and others think it is not needed.

There were also complaints as a permanent solution should have been found before 2010.

But the campaign for a fence hit a stumbling block in October when they lost funding promised from Cheshire East Council.

Lena Porter, chairman of the Swan Support Group, added: “As you can imagine after two years we’re quite excited about it.

“But until everything is signed, sealed and delivered we’re not getting our hopes up because we’ve been here before.

“To me it’s an absolute relief. It’s wonderful because at last I won’t have to worry all the time that the swans could be killed or about people ripping down the temporary fencing.

“People don’t realise that the swans could cause an accident and kill somebody but until that happens no one will believe it.”

Willis’s of Sandbach has been appointed to build a low post and wire fence with three self-closing gates which is set to be looked after by the Swan Support Group and the BTCV.

But Mr Baldacchino has concerns about the fence’s long term maintenance.

He said: “We are aware that a contractor has been identified but there remains work to be done to be clear about maintenance responsibilities looking ahead.

“We have also now become aware that there may be some local opposition to the fence and we will want to discuss this with the council before the fence is installed.

“It is difficult to see how the fence can be erected until these issues are resolved. We hope that this can be done in the timeframe that the council has identified.

“The Trent and Mersey Canal in Middlewich has been a longstanding feature of the town and we greatly value the community’s support of the work that we do.”

Stephen Dent, assistant town clerk of Middlewich Town Council, added: “I urge residents to please be patient during the next few weeks to allow this work to happen.

“When it is finished, it should improve considerably the outlook from Booth Lane properties but still offer a degree of protection for swans and help reduce the potential for a serious road accident.”