Marine Lake needs urgent repairs

The wall is a popular walking route for visitors

The wall around West Kirby's Marine Lake needs urgent repair work and could be in danger of crumbling away into the water, according to a new report.

Engineers have told Wirral Council that the 1,000m walkway around the lake is showing signs of age and may soon be too dangerous for visitors.

The problems affect the inner wall, which was rebuilt in the 1980s but was only expected to last up to 25 years.

If the council approves the £750,000 repairs, work could start in November.

It would finish in spring 2009, but the lake would probably have to close during that time.

The issue will be considered by the council's cabinet later this month but the project could qualify for a grant from the Environment Agency.

The report said: "There have been a number of localised failures of the material, which have been repaired.

"However, the rate of degradation is increasing such that it is now important that works are carried out as a matter of urgency.

"If works are not carried out, then the outer wall will become unsafe for the public to use, debris from the failing wall will accumulate within the lake, and the protective effect of the wall on South Parade will be lost."