Delegates at the Ribble Forum were treated to a visit to Hesketh Out Marsh (not yet open to the public) where the Environment Agency and RSPB are working to return previously reclaimed land into salt-marsh.
The visit proved to be very interesting and gave an insight into the scale of this vast project which covers and area equivalent to 168 football pitches. The lines of the original creeks have been restored and lagoons dug. All won material (250,000 cubic metres) is being used to strengthen the sea defences and create new ones to protect the surrounding area. Clever calculations mean that no material has had to be brought onto the site or taken off it.
Next year the outer sea defence will be breeched in four places to allow the tides to wash in and out. This will help to alleviate flood risks in the area and no doubt many species of birds will soon reap the benefits of the new environments that will be created.
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