CAMPAIGNERS continued to battle for public access to the Twelve Quays' development with a demonstration on the Mersey waterfront last Saturday.

People from over 50 national and regional heritage groups gathered outside the metal fences that block public access to the riverside path from Woodside to Seacombe.

Construction work on the Twelve Quays' ro-ro ferry terminal and lorry marshalling yard has already started despite campaigners' protests.

Donna O'Brian, Ramblers' Association footpath policy officer, said: "It's unbelievable that Wirral Council has granted planning permission which completely ignores the waterfront path used by the public for decades.

"There is simply no convincing reason why the development and public access can't go hand in hand."

The Ramblers' Association was joined by the Women's Institute, Round Table, National Federation of Sea Anglers, Friends of the Earth and Wirral Footpaths and Open Spaces Preservation Society.

Graham Handley, a local campaigner, said that he was "absolutely delighted" with the turn out.

"The organisations in this campaign represent more than 100,000 people. Considering that Wirral has a population of 300,000 that is remarkable," he said.

"There is a real frustration on Merseyside over the council's refusal to listen to the public. The council should take note and think again before a historic walkway and its fantastic views of Liverpool are lost forever to the people of the Wirral."

A spokesperson for Mersey Docks and Harbour Company said: "There is no right of access across the site. There were planning procedures involving the local authority and the government giving ample time for people with objections to put them forward.

"Both Wirral Council and the government have recognised the value to the community of such a project and it is now moving ahead."

The spokesperson added that there are important health, safety and security reasons for not allowing people access to the front when the terminal is finished.

The development has created a number of construction jobs and it is predicted that when it will generate further opportunities in terms of warehouse distribution.

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company has earmarked 80 acres of dockland for redevelopment that will be linked to the river terminal.