A
38 hectare extension to the Welney reserve,
dubbed Lady Fen, is due to be officially
opened at 10am on 24 February. This new
wildlife habitat is the result of a project
between the Environment Agency and the Wildfowl
& Wetlands Trust (WWT).
When: Opening with VIPs
10am or opening to the public at 1pm, Tuesday
24 February
What: Official opening of Lady Fen wildlife
reserve
Where: WWT Welney Wetland Centre
Who: At 10am: Regional Director of the Environment
Agency, Paul Woodcock and Chief Executive
of WWT Martin Spray. At 1pm: members of
the public
A 38 hectare extension
to the Welney reserve, dubbed Lady Fen,
is due to be officially opened at 10am on
24 February. This new wildlife habitat is
the result of a project between the Environment
Agency and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
(WWT).
From 1pm, there will
be an open afternoon for the public, which
will include guided tours of Lady Fen and
the opportunity to talk to Environment Agency
and WWT staff.
The Environment Agency
purchased Lady Fen farm to compensate for
the loss of wildfowl grazing habitat caused
by flood defence work. Wildfowl, such as
wigeon, frequently graze on short grass
over the winter.
Essential flood defence
work was carried out by the Environment
Agency on the Middle Level Barrier Bank
of the Ouse Washes from 2001 to 2005. The
Barrier Bank had become eroded by waves
from the Washes over time, and new concrete
panels were installed along some stretches.
This work stabilised the Barrier Bank, providing
a good standard of flood defence for local
communities, but meant some of the grazing
for over-wintering wildfowl was lost.
Since receiving planning
permission for Lady Fen, the Environment
Agency has worked with WWT Welney wetland
centre to transform the farmland into wet
grassland, by digging a system of ditches,
channels and scrapes. The ground has been
seeded with native grasses and a waterproof
liner has been inserted to protect the surrounding
farmland.
Environment Agency Area
Manager Geoff Brighty said: “Firstly, we’re
pleased our concrete panel work on the Middle
Level Barrier Bank has improved flood protection
for local people. Secondly, our purchase
of Lady Fen, together with WWT’s conservation
expertise, means wildlife has also benefited.”
Leigh Marshall, WWT’s
reserve manager at Welney Wetland Centre,
said: “We are delighted that our partnership
with the Environment Agency has worked so
well in providing this extra wildlife habitat.
Lady Fen has already attracted hundreds
of wigeon, golden plover and other wildlife
– before it’s officially open!”
Environment Agency unveil
plan for new flood defences on the River
Jordan
The Environment Agency
is holding a drop-in session for Sutton
Poyntz and Preston residents to find out
more about proposals to reduce flood risk
in the Fisherbridge Road and Mill Lane area
by building a new flood defence scheme.
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Environment Agency unveil
plan for new flood defences on the River
Jordan
The Environment Agency
is holding a drop-in session for Sutton
Poyntz and Preston residents to find out
more about proposals to reduce flood risk
in the Fisherbridge Road and Mill Lane area
by building a new flood defence scheme.
The public exhibition
will be staged on February 27, 2009, at
the Preston Village Hall, near Weymouth,
between 2pm and 7pm.
This is an informal
opportunity for residents to find out more
about the Environment Agency’s proposals
and ask the project team any questions.
The River Jordan originates
in the chalk hills to the north of Sutton
Poyntz, and flows through the village and
Preston before entering the sea at Bowleaze
Cove. The river lies within a steep catchment
which responds rapidly to rainfall.
Flood defences are present
at the coast where the River Jordan enters
the sea, but there are no formal defences
on the river channel. During storms the
river channel quickly fills up and causes
flooding.
At Mill Lane and Fisherbridge
Road there are 31 properties which have
a 1 in 100 chance of flooding in any one
year. In the Fisherbridge area there are
known low spots where floodwater can pond
and remain trapped for long periods.
The Environment Agency
is proposing to build new raised flood defences
in Mill Lane and the Fisherbridge Road area
to provide protection. Most of the new wall
will be built from reinforced concrete,
and faced with natural local stone to match
other walls in the area.
A small pumping station
will be built to pump surface water away
from the Fisherbridge Road area and into
the river.
Julian James, the project
lead for the Environment Agency, said: ’Flooding
in this area is known to be caused by a
combination of river flooding and surface
water runoff. We are seeking a comprehensive
solution to reduce flood risk from all sources
of flooding by working closely with our
partners, Wessex Water and Weymouth and
Portland Borough Council.
‘This is a great chance
for us to meet the community and discuss
the feasibility of the options we have with
residents. There has been a great deal of
interest in this work and we are looking
forward to giving people more information
about the project.’
Subject to funding and
planning consent, construction is due to
start in April 2010.
The River Jordan and
its surrounding area are of high environmental
value. Part of the scheme lies within areas
which are designated for landscape and historic
value. Protected species are known to be
present in the river and surrounding area
including otter, water vole, bats, brown
trout and water crowfoot.
‘By carefully designing
and timing the work we will endeavour to
avoid impacts on these species. As brown
trout are present there is a legal requirement
to avoid construction works in the river
during winter months,’ added Julian James.
