Mussel beds work starts

Contractors this week moved on to the former mussel beds site adjacent to The Green to start preparations for a seating and recreation area which is the biggest project in the 57-year history of Lytham St Annes Civic Society.

As well as a destination to sit and admire the views over the Ribble estuary, the recreation area is set to tell the story of the shellfish industry through interpretation, artwork and sculpture.

Designed to resemble the look of the old mussel beds, which were taken out of use six decades ago, it will include an ‘art wall’ with ceramic tiles portraying local features, along with a large-scale mussel carved in durable stone.

Contractors from east Lancashire-based Landscape Engineering Ltd have initially been clearing the site of existing flagstones and most vegetation. The project is due to last 12 weeks for the hard landscaping, with the planting of associated beds taking place next spring.

The Civic Society, whose scheme was preferred by councillors in 2014 to a sand and water play plan proposed by the Park View 4U recreation group, has promoted the project as “low key, informative and free for all to use as an extension of The Green”,

Society chairman Marion Coupe said: “We see The Green as the most sensitive site in Lytham and our scheme will help give it the protection from commercial development it needs.”