Winkle-pickers win

Sally Campbell sends us a photo of a van in Norfolk, where the designation of Blakeney Marshes as a potential Marine Protected Area caused outrage among local residents. Two thousand of them, including fishermen, samphire-gatherers, bait-diggers, duck-shooters and winkle-pickers signed a petition to Defra Minister Richard Benyon – and won. Normal for Norfolk, as the saying goes.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb handed a 1,185-strong petition to this week, highlighting local opposition to Natural England’s plans to designate Blakeney Marshes a Marine Conservation Zone. A decision on whether to include Blakeney in a public consultation on the proposed sites is expected any time now.

The proposal, first mooted more than a year ago, would see access to the area restricted and has prompted deep concern among local people. It is feared that if the plans go ahead they could have a negative economic impact, affecting local fishing and harming tourism. It could also end traditional activities such as samphire-gathering and bait-digging.