Short-term diversion of South West Coast Path to allow development of recent footbridge
Relocation of Budleigh Salterton Cricket Membership to a safer location above the floodplain
The dry summer season has seen the scheme progress effectively. Vital progress has been made on getting ready and consolidating the brand new raised and flood-free route of South Farm Street prepared for development, the constructing of a street bridge below which tidal waters will circulate, and the decreasing of Huge and Little Banks on the north of the scheme. Because of this, the undertaking now turns its consideration to the very southern finish of the location, getting ready the way in which for the re-connection of the historic floodplain with the Otter River and its estuary through a breach within the current earth embankment.
To make sure continuity of the favored and nationally necessary South West Coast Path, a 70-metre footbridge will probably be constructed within the location of the longer term breach. It will present a extra accessible, and all-season route by means of the elevating of the 900-metre-long footpath on the western fringe of the valley, which runs from the doorway of the present Budleigh Salterton Cricket Membership on Granary Lane to South Farm Street.
Whereas the footbridge works are underway, there will probably be a brief diversion rather than a brief part of the footpath from 15 September 2022 till the completion of the breach in spring/summer season 2023.
Map exhibiting the South West Coast Path diversion route
Beginning work the identical week after finishing its last season, the close by Budleigh Salterton Cricket Membership will probably be relocated to its new residence at an already constructed and purpose-built pitch. This can be a extra sustainable location that may present improved services and is now not topic to flooding. This implies the present clubhouse will probably be demolished and a few surrounding vegetation throughout the floodplain eliminated by a specialist staff of arboriculturists. Any timber misplaced will probably be changed as a part of the undertaking’s mitigation planting programme. This work will allow the creation of over 50 hectares of uncommon wildlife-rich saltmarsh and mudflat.
Dan Boswell of the Setting Company stated:
Because of the continued assist and persistence of the local people and guests to the Decrease Otter, our work to reconnect the estuary to its historic floodplain for the advantage of birds, biodiversity and folks is beginning to take form. The South West Coast Path and the cricket membership imply an ideal deal to the group, and so it is very important us and the undertaking that the undertaking helps their future and helps them adapt to sea degree rise. The non permanent diversion of the footpath will permit customers to proceed to benefit from the space safely with as little disruption as potential. The brand new footbridge and improved footpath will imply guests will have the ability to absorb higher views all yr spherical of the encompassing pure habitats and numerous wildlife that will probably be drawn to the restored wetlands. The brand new residence of the relocated cricket membership won’t solely safeguard it too from the dangers of flooding, however can even permit for a good larger vary of group facilities and actions.
The Decrease Otter Restoration Challenge is an intertidal habitat creation undertaking delivered by the Setting Company in partnership with the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Belief and Clinton Devon Estates.
It’s a part of a cross-border initiative known as ‘Selling Adaptation to Altering Coasts’ (PACCo) the place we’re working with companions within the Saâne Valley in Normandy (France) to share studying on the supply of local weather change adaptation initiatives.
The Decrease Otter Restoration Challenge has been majority funded by the UK authorities, with £8.5 million of co-financing from the European Regional Improvement Fund (ERDF), by means of the Interreg V A France (Channel) England programme (2021 to 2023).
Particulars of the undertaking might be discovered at: https://www.lowerotterrestorationproject.co.uk/projectaims.html