A COMPROMISE between protecting wildlife and helping a vital industry on the River Dee has been put forward by regulators. Wirral South MP Ben Chapman said he hoped an acceptable result could be achieved balancing the different interests involved in an application to dredge the Dee Estuary. Mr Chapman raised the issue in Parliament, stating birds and wildlife could be killed off in the Dee Estuary if the Airbus application to dredge part of the river were successful. The Deeside aircraft company, which employs hundreds of workers in Wirral, said the river needs to be dredged to allow vessels carrying the wings for the A380 super jumbo aircraft to be floated down the Dee where they are put on to a larger ship and transported to France. But the RSPB has voiced concerns that the dredging could lead to severe environmental damage. The area is recognised for its population of wading birds and ducks that arrive in the winter. Now the Environment Agency has proposed a compromise of limited dredging for two years during which time the area will be closely monitored. The Environment Agency, Department for Transport and Welsh Assembly put forward the proposals, and there will be a month during which other groups will be consulted. A statement by the Environment Agency said: "In reaching their preliminary conclusions, the regulators have spent considerable time carefully considered the findings of jointly commissioned independent research, involving modelling, monitoring and analysis of potential changes to the estuary." The proposals are based on scientific advice, including guidance from the Countryside Council for Wales and English Nature, that a limited dredge for the proposed period will not adversely affect the key environmental features of the estuary. The Dee Estuary is one of the most important and highly protected nature conservation sites in the UK. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Wetland of International Importance, a Special Protection Area and a proposed Special Area of Conservation. Tim Melling, a spokesman for the RSPB, said the organisation has been fully consulted over the proposals and recognises the importance of Airbus to the local economy. He added: "We are happy because this is a time limited proposal and will be carefully monitored. We will be keeping a close eye on the effect on the birds and their habitat. If any problems do crop up, we will be able to step in." Mr Chapman added: "I have always asserted that the level of dredging sought by the Port of Mostyn and Airbus needed to be justified given that there needs to be a balance between commerce and the environment. "The preliminary conclusions reached to allow a two-metre dredge for a limited period may draw the right balance and, given that the original proposals were for four metres, certainly justifies my repeated concerns about this issue. "But whilst 264 of my constituents work at Airbus, the Dee Estuary gives pleasure to thousands of people as an unspoilt natural area and needs to be protected for future generations." liammurphy@dailypost.co.uk | 
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