Angler fishing for a solution (From Barry And District News)

Angler fishing for a solution

A BARRY man is furious that the Vale of Glamorgan Council has considered a total ban on a popular fishing venue.

Richard Phillips, 47, of Pendine Close is disabled and relies heavily on the easy access to Penarth Pier.

But last summer, the council restricted access to the pier apart from at night. This made it difficult for Richard to get any pleasure out of his sport. He told the News: "I rely on my children and friends. They're great and don't mind helping with my equipment, but the times the council allowed us to fish made it difficult for me to ask."

Richard has had two discs in his lower back removed. He has severe arthritis in his knees and had two thirds of his bowel removed through cancer. Fishing is the only sport he is capable of enjoying.

He added: "I couldn't fish much this summer, unless it was a very high tide and I could set up on the promenade. It makes me laugh. Fishing was allowed from the prom, where people are walking, but not off the pier."

The council discussed options in a meeting on December 4. One of them was a complete ban on fishing off the pier. Richard said: "The vandalism on the pier was terrible this year.

"Benches were wrecked and panels were kicked in. If we were there, at least we'd be a deterrent."

Another option is to form a fishing club and charge members.

Richard said: "In 1986, there was a council meeting that stopped charging people to go on the pier and put the charges on the rates. Now they're going to charge us again?"

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "The public meeting was held to discuss the future of fishing on Penarth Pier. The committee recommended that two options, the establishment of a regular pier angling club and restricted fishing times. These are subject to further investigation."