Essential work to secure access to the nature reserve begins
Work has begun this week to replace the dilapidated footbridge that links our visitor centre to the 450-acre Millennium Wetlands reserve.
Since it was first opened more than twenty years ago, the wooden bridge has enabled around one million visitors to cross and explore the wetlands. With all this daily use, the wood shows its age and, as such, has needed more and more repairs and maintenance work. It now urgently needs to be replaced.
Installation of the new bridge will mean a little disruption over the next few weeks, but an alternative temporary route to the reserve has been marked to minimise the impact on visitors.
Jo Jones, Centre Manager at WWT Llanelli, said: “We’re delighted that we can now replace the worn-out footbridge with a strong and long-lasting design to ensure that more people can access the reserve and connect with wetland nature in the years to come.”
“We realise that the work will inconvenience our regular visitors in the short-term, but safeguarding this access is essential to secure the future of the nature reserve, so we ask everyone to please bear with us.”
“The new bridge build is supported by funding from Carmarthenshire County Council under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
“We thank our partners for their assistance in this project, and our visitors and members for their patience and support.”
What this means for visitors over the next few weeks
- Our visitor centre, collection ponds and Easter activities will be completely unaffected by the work.
- The Heron’s Wing and Peter Scott Hides will be closed for most of the installation work to keep contractors and members of the public safe. We hate having to close hides, but the stark reality is that if we don’t carry this work out now, future access to the reserve is at risk.
