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Adapting to change: major developments
Major changes are afoot at our Bracklesham Bay nature reserve.
We purchased the reserve in 2006, an area of lowland wet grassland immediately behind a shingle ridge that extends along the seafront between Selsey and Bracklesham (this seafront is called Medmerry).
The reserve is part of the Bracklesham Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and one of the longest sections of undeveloped coastline anywhere between Southampton and Brighton.
Coast under threat
We purchased the site knowing that it is also one of the stretches of coast most threatened by sea-level rise. We initially thought it would be several decades before action was needed, but the shingle is now at risk of breaching annually, flooding local homes and caravan sites, despite the Environment Agency artificially reinforcing the shingle ridge each year.
The Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy, led by the Environment Agency, identified that the best solution for this stretch of coast would be to realign the sea defences inland, creating a new intertidal tidal area incorporating the existing RSPB nature reserve.
The Medmerry Managed Realignment Project
On 22 October 2009, the Environment Agency confirmed the proposed line of the new defences at a meeting of the Medmerry Stakeholder Advisory Group, of which the RSPB is a member. Vitally, the new sea defences will protect the people of Selsey, Ham, Earnley and Bracklesham from flooding at Medmerry, and will also safeguard the sewage treatment works and the B2145 road, the only road into Selsey.
Opportunities for people
In addition to flood protection, the Medmerry scheme also offers interesting opportunities to improve access for both local people and visitors, with options such as new footpaths, cyclepaths and wildlife viewing facilities. Such provision will have to be planned carefully, to ensure that it meets the needs of the local community, wildlife and visitors.
Opportunities for wildlife
In addition, the scheme offers a wonderful opportunity for the creation of large areas of new wildlife habitat. The creation of intertidal habitat has the potential to compensate for losses that are happening elsewhere in the Solent. It is anticipated that the new habitats at Medmerry will include small areas of mudflat, plus saltmarsh and rough grassland, good for many wintering, migrant and breeding wading birds and wildfowl.
Next steps
Although the process is moving quickly, this is a complex project! It will take several years for the Environment Agency to complete the design and implementation of the scheme. However, the Environment Agency is currently in discussion with the RSPB with a view to us taking on the long-term management of the site once the new defences are created.
Current visiting arrangements
A limited number of public footpaths lead around the area, but there is little other access provision at present. Updates will be posted here as the work develops, which will hopefully include a programme of site visits for the public.
For more information, see the Environment Agency's definitive page about the scheme.
Contact information
South East Regional Office
1st Floor, Pavilion View
19 New Road
Brighton
BN1 1UF
Telephone: 01273 775333
Map
Important note
This site is one of several that due to its size, location and/or conservation sensitivity is not capable of accommodating large numbers of visitors (unless stated).
Where possible, we have indicated the nearest equivalent RSPB nature reserve suitable for visiting. If you require further information, please use the contact details provided.
This does not affect any statutory rights of access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act or Land Reform (Scotland) Act legislation.