AROUND 100 people gathered at Cannop Ponds on Saturday evening (July 23) to voice their complete opposition to any move to drain the lakes.

Forestry England is looking at options for the ponds following an engineering report which identified problems with dams.

Among the options being considered is to “restore” the Cannop Valley to how it was before the ponds were constructed in the 1820s.

It is this option which prompted Saturday’s protest.

Shaun Bick, who started a petition which now has more than 6,000 signatures, said: “We want to keep the ponds as they are. We want the dams repaired, that is why we are all fighting for this together.

“We are going to fight this right until the end.

“We want people to enjoy the lakes for what they are.”

He also led the crowd in a huge cheer for the campaign.

Yorkley Angling Club, which has leased the ponds for fishing for more than 60 years, has produced “Save Cannop Ponds” posters which are appearing in shop windows across the Forest.

Despite the launch of a public consultation on the future of the ponds by Forestry England, campaigners fear a decision has already been made.

Mark Lewis, who runs the Forest Tackle angling shop in Lydney, said: “It (the ponds) aren’t dangerous, they’ve been here for 200 years.”

Mr Lewis said they were considering a protest march through Coleford from the Forest Council offices to the Forestry England headquarters nearby.

Campaigners say they want to see the engineers’ report into the dams and the risk assessment around flooding.

Forestry Engand has laid out the case for change in a document on its website, along with a series of “frequently asked questions”.

It says that while there is no immediate risk of flooding because of the weakness of the dams, “doing nothing is not an option.”

The ponds are classified as reservoirs under the 1975 Reservoirs Act and are subject to regular inspections by independent engineers.

The dams were built in the 1820s and do not meet modern engineering standards.

Significant issues have been identified and decisions must now be made about future of the ponds, says Forestry England.

The consultation document is available at www.forestryengland.uk. Search for Cannop.

A ‘Save Cannop Ponds’ Facebook page has been set up to keep people informed of the campaign to retain the lakes.

The petition started by Mr Bick is at www.change.org. Search for Cannop.

Campaigners have also called on birdwatchers and naturalists to share any records or photographs of wildlife at the ponds.

They say such records would help them put the case to retain the ponds.