Storm surge recovery
Following the storm surge in December 2013, significant damage was caused Titchwell Marsh most notably the loss the sand dunes and the destruction of the beach boardwalk. Far less noticeable, but more significantly, our sea defences especially the East and Parrinder Banks were damaged. Although the East Bank didn’t breach and let the sea into the reserve, it was seriously damaged and is in need of repair before the coming winter.
So what are we going to do...?
The Parrinder Bank – increased erosion levels along the north side of the wall have been noted since the surge event and this needs to be addressed. The plan is to place a long of rock rolls (3m long metal ‘sausages’ filled with rocks) along the bottom of the bank where the erosion has been occurring. These features are designed to break up the wave action against the bank and reduce the impact from further erosion. The work will involve a large excavator lowering the rock rolls from the top of the seawall where they will be placed by a smaller machine and secured. Completing this part of the project is expected to take about 5 weeks.
The East Bank – the sheer weight of the tide against the seawall found small weaknesses (mainly rabbit holes and bush roots) allowing small amounts of water to penetrate the bank. Thiscaused the crest of the bank to be partly undermined leaving it at a greater risk of breaching if another similar event happened. In order to make the bank ‘sea-worthy’ again we will have to undertake a partial rebuild. The plan is to remove the damaged crest of the bank and using clay dug from from East Trail, rebuild it soso that it provides the same standard of flood defence as banks we strengthened several years ago.T The hole that is left behind in East Trail will beprofiled to provide ideal conditions for dragonflies, photography and maybe pond dipping. This work is planned to take about 4 weeks.
When are we going to do it...?
The main materials for the Parrinder bank works are currently on order and are due to be arriving on site very soon. Our contractors will be arriving with their equipment on Monday September 22ndand work will start straight away. The Parrinder Bank works will be completed first before moving onto the East Bank. During this period the East Trail will be closed to visitors from the Fen Hide. While this closure is in effect, we will be replacing the the worn-out Fen and Meadow Trail boardwalks. We will aim to keep as much of the Fen Trail open aspossible to enable people to search the bushes for migrant birds.
The remainder of the reserve will be open as usual but iif you would like to find out any more information about the work prior to your visit, please check the Titchwell pages on the RSPB website (www.rspb.org.uk/titchwell), email the reserve ([email protected]), give us a ring (01485 210779) or pop into the visitor centre and have a chat.
Paul
Following the storm surge in December 2013, significant damage was caused Titchwell Marsh most notably the loss the sand dunes and the destruction of the beach boardwalk. Far less noticeable, but more significantly, our sea defences especially the East and Parrinder Banks were damaged. Although the East Bank didn’t breach and let the sea into the reserve, it was seriously damaged and is in need of repair before the coming winter.
So what are we going to do...?
The Parrinder Bank – increased erosion levels along the north side of the wall have been noted since the surge event and this needs to be addressed. The plan is to place a long of rock rolls (3m long metal ‘sausages’ filled with rocks) along the bottom of the bank where the erosion has been occurring. These features are designed to break up the wave action against the bank and reduce the impact from further erosion. The work will involve a large excavator lowering the rock rolls from the top of the seawall where they will be placed by a smaller machine and secured. Completing this part of the project is expected to take about 5 weeks.
The East Bank – the sheer weight of the tide against the seawall found small weaknesses (mainly rabbit holes and bush roots) allowing small amounts of water to penetrate the bank. Thiscaused the crest of the bank to be partly undermined leaving it at a greater risk of breaching if another similar event happened. In order to make the bank ‘sea-worthy’ again we will have to undertake a partial rebuild. The plan is to remove the damaged crest of the bank and using clay dug from from East Trail, rebuild it soso that it provides the same standard of flood defence as banks we strengthened several years ago.T The hole that is left behind in East Trail will beprofiled to provide ideal conditions for dragonflies, photography and maybe pond dipping. This work is planned to take about 4 weeks.
When are we going to do it...?
The main materials for the Parrinder bank works are currently on order and are due to be arriving on site very soon. Our contractors will be arriving with their equipment on Monday September 22ndand work will start straight away. The Parrinder Bank works will be completed first before moving onto the East Bank. During this period the East Trail will be closed to visitors from the Fen Hide. While this closure is in effect, we will be replacing the the worn-out Fen and Meadow Trail boardwalks. We will aim to keep as much of the Fen Trail open aspossible to enable people to search the bushes for migrant birds.
The remainder of the reserve will be open as usual but iif you would like to find out any more information about the work prior to your visit, please check the Titchwell pages on the RSPB website (www.rspb.org.uk/titchwell), email the reserve ([email protected]), give us a ring (01485 210779) or pop into the visitor centre and have a chat.
Paul
