Return of saltmarsh aids flood defence and wildlife

Last modified: 17 September 2008

Oystercatcher sitting on nest - Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2005_8328_000 )

A huge area of the Ribble estuary is to be returned to saltmarsh in the biggest scheme of its kind in the UK.

In a joint project between the Environment Agency and the RSPB, the sea wall around part of Hesketh Out Marsh on the estuary was breached on Tuesday (16 September), allowing the area behind it to flood.

The whole area was a natural saltmarsh until the 1980s, when local landowners built flood defences and reclaimed it as farmland.

It is hoped that returning part of the site to its natural state will reduce the risk of flooding to the surrounding area and create a large area - 168 hectares - of important wildlife habitat.

The scheme, which also has the backing of Lancaster City Council and Natural England, will create a highly effective natural flood defence, with the saltmarsh absorbing the energy of the tide as it moves up the estuary.

'This inspirational project promises to further enhance that importance by providing a fantastic area of new saltmarsh'

In addition, the Environment Agency is repairing the original sea defences further inland and will protect farmland on the eastern side of Hesketh Out Marsh with a new sea wall.

John Collins, Environment Agency Area Manager said: 'This project is a fantastic example of how we are working more closely with the natural environment to manage flood risk. By assessing the land and its historical patterns and taking into account how flooding is likely to impact over the coming years, we are able to create effective, sustainable solutions to managing flood risk.'

By allowing the tide to naturally flow through the area, creating muddy creeks and saline lagoons, the project creates habitat for breeding waders, wildfowl, invertebrates and fish.

When the flood improvement work is complete, the RSPB will take over the management of the land.

Laurence Rose, the RSPB’s Regional Director, said: 'The Ribble is one of the most important estuaries in the UK for birds. This inspirational project promises to further enhance that importance by providing a fantastic area of new saltmarsh.

'This will offer a place to breed for wading birds such as lapwing, redshank, avocet and oystercatcher, while acting as a vital wintering ground for species like pink-footed geese, whooper swans, wigeons, teals and golden plovers.

'We are very grateful for the work carried out by the Environment Agency to help us create what will be a wonderful, wet and wild landscape.'

The project is grateful for the financial support of Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan, Lancaster City Council and Biffaward.

The Ribble Coast and Wetlands area is one of Europe's most special places for wildlife. The area supports internationally significant populations of birds. An average of 340,000 avian visitors per year make it one of the most important wetland places in Britain for migratory and breeding birds.

The area's environmental significance together with its location between Merseyside and the Lake District resulted in its being recognised as a potential regional park for the north west. A wide-ranging partnership of local organisations is backing the proposals for a Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park.