Fingringhoe Wick

Year Implemented

2015

Project Type

Managed realignment

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Colne Estuary (Essex)

Longitude

0.9751

Latitude

51.8423

Habitat(s) Created

Mudflat
Saltmarsh
Transitional Grassland

Size

22 Hectares

Why Undertaken

Project Description Summary

Located on the banks of the Colne estuary, Fingringhoe Wick is a comparatively small site (at 22 ha) but also one that elegantly illustrates the concept and value of managed realignment projects (see cover photo to this white paper). It is located within the Essex Wildlife Trust reserve and is managed by the EWT in partnership with the Environment Agency.

This project was implemented in 2015. Following preparatory land side work, a 300m-wide breach in the seawall was excavated and then allowed to evolve. At this site the land levels rise gently up at the back the site so there was no need for new counterwall. The site includes a bird hide and access walkway.