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Minsmere Sea Defences Environment Agency Project
13 July 2011
Minsmere is one of the UK's most important freshwater wetlands, home to nationally important populations of bitterns, water voles and bearded tits, and a huge variety of other wetland wildlife, and protected by various national and international designations.
However, it also lies on one of the UK's fastest-eroding coastlines, making the freshwater habitats increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels and potential saltwater flooding, which would have serious negative impacts on these habitats and the species associated with them.
Current forecasts suggest that the sea defences between Minsmere's North Wall and Dunwich Cliffs are highly susceptible to erosion, and the dunes have breached on several occasions in recent years. The Environment Agency-led Minsmere sea defences project will ensure that Minsmere is protected from a 1-in-10-year flooding event for the next 50 years.
What's going to happen?
The project involves strengthening and rebuilding the North Wall at Minsmere to make it higher and wider. Once completed, the path on top will be surfaced to ensure that it is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
In addition, two coastal bunds will be built between the existing dunes and secondary sea defence to the south of the North Wall. These will reduce the flow of water in the event of breach in the dunes.
When's it going to happen?
Environment Agency contractors will be on site from early July. Initially they are installing new passing places along the entrance road, in preparation for clay deliveries by lorry. These will begin in mid August and continue to late September. Please be aware that construction traffic will be using the Minsmere entrance roads during this period. The clay will be temporarily stored behind the Minsmere visitor centre.
Construction work on the North Wall should begin in mid-August 2011, although the exact timing will be dependent on when bitterns are confirmed to have finished nesting. The work is due to finish by early February 2012.
Can I still visit?
Minsmere will remain fully open during the construction phase of this project, although there will be no visitor access along the North Wall. As a result, access to East Hide will only be possible via the sluice. There will be a variety of seasonal trails and viewpoints to provide excellent views of Minsmere's autumn and winter wildlife highlights, to ensure that you continue to have an enjoyable visit to Minsmere.
Details of all temporary trails and viewpoints will be available from the Minsmere visitor centre.
Thanks to...
This project is funded by and led by the Environment Agency. The RSPB supports the project, and will assist with providing local information, but we are not contributing to the cost of the project.
For more information