New WWT reserve set for completion in autumn 2014
Hundreds of hectares of nature reserve at Steart on the north Somerset coast will be opened up to the sea in autumn 2014, creating new salt marshes to benefit wildlife and reduce flood risk.
The final stage in one of the largest projects of its kind in the UK will be to breach the existing sea wall.
Earthworks to create the reserve are complete and will now be given time to allow vegetation to grow and strengthen the new embankments protecting the village of Steart and its main access road.
The new reserve, which will be called Steart Marshes, is being created in partnership with the Environment Agency. WWT will take on management of the reserve later this year.
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Project Manager Tim McGrath said:
“Steart Marshes will be one of the UK’s largest new wetland reserves. Parts of the site will be open while the vegetation develops, so we can all enjoy the birds which are already making themselves at home here.
“And we’re looking forward to next autumn, when Steart Marshes will be opened to the sea, demonstrating how wetlands can help wildlife and people adapt to the challenges of climate change.”
Environment Agency Project Manager Richard Cox said:
“This is a huge project to enable new and improved flood defences around the Severn estuary and to compensate for intertidal habitat that will be lost to rising sea levels. It’ll be valuable for wildlife and help manage flood risk. The construction phase is almost complete and there will be no machinery on site now for a year, while we wait for the new banks to mature.”
The schedule for breaching the sea wall will be kept under regular review the exact date will be chosen closer to the time. The local community will be kept informed of any new developments.
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