Wallasea Wetlands
Wallasea Wetlands are a reclaimed wetlands area on the coast of Essex, on Wallasea Island, near Rochford. The wetlands form a nature reserve, and are not a natural feature: the wetland habitat was created as part of a government-funded wetlands scheme to halt the decline of wild and endangered birds caused by the drainage and development of former wetland sites. It is the largest man-made marine wetland area in the United Kingdom.
The created wetland spans an area of 284 acres, and is sited on Wallasea Island, which borders two rivers (River Crouch to the north and River Roach to the south-east). They provide winter grounds for wading birds, as well as breeding and nursery areas for aquatic wildlife, such as bass, mullet, flatfish and herring and even some types of dolphin. The area will also help to reduce the flooding of properties near the River Crouch by providing a run-off area for floodwaters.
In the process being termed "managed re-alignment", the seawall that protects croplands and property was re-established in more tenable positions, three miles behind the new wetlands, which will provide habitat for birds like oystercatchers, avocets and little terns, according to the press release issued at the time.
Walkers and birdwatchers will be able to enjoy the scenery by means of a new footpath that has been built on the top of this new relocated sea wall. Construction was completed in 2006 and by 2011 the land had evolved into wetland, mudflats, saline lagoons and seven artificial islands, allowing the wildlife to reside on these areas.
An extension to the scheme, using 2,400 shiploads of spoil excavated from London's Crossrail tunnels, was completed in July 2015, when an additional area of land was opened to tidal flow.[1] This formed the Jubilee Marsh (400 acres); a nature reserve managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.[2] The whole project was completed in 2025.[3]
History
Wetlands have existed on Wallasea Island since ancient times, when much of the Essex coastline was bordered by rich breeding grounds for birds. In the 15th century these lands were drained by Dutch settlers for agricultural use with the construction of the original sea wall. Over time more wetland areas were drained for development, leading to the reduction and endangerment of the wildlife that depended on it.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s two areas of salt marsh and mud flat at Lappel Bank in the Medway Estuary in Kent and Fagbury Flats in the Orwell Estuary in Suffolk were drained and port developments at Sheerness and Felixstowe were built in their place. Under European Union rules, which applied at the time, these wetlands ordered to be replaced, and it was decided that new wetlands should be created.
In 2005, the £7.5million project to return the island to its original salt marsh was begun, starting with the construction of the new sea defence wall, defining the area where the tides were permitted to flood. Work was completed on 4 July 2006, when 330 yards of the original sea wall were bulldozed, allowing sea tides to flood the area at high tide.
RSPB Wallasea Island
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds manages a reserve here, RSPB Wallasea Island, which now extends to 1830 acres.
Location
- Location map: 51°36’52"N, 0°51’15"E
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Wallasea Island) |
- Up to date images and webcams of the RSPB Wild Coast Project
- Wallasea Wetlands Creation Project eNewsletter, DEFRA, 16 May 2011
- From Directive to Detail: A joined up response to flooding?, Colin Scott, ABP Marine Environmental Research, 26 Jan 2007
- Guardian Unlimited: Flood scheme recreates ancient Essex wetlands
- BBC News: "Huge marine wetland starts life" 4 July 2006
- PR Newswire: UK's largest man-made wetland created in Essex
- Planning Application for Wallasea Island
References
- ↑ Davies, Caroline (13 July 2015). "Wallasea Island project takes significant step forward as sea walls breached". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/13/wallasea-island-project-takes-significant-step-forward-as-sea-walls-breached. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ↑ "How London’s new Elizabeth line has created a sanctuary for birds" (in en). 2022-05-21. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/21/how-londons-new-rail-project-has-created-a-sanctuary-for-birds.
- ↑ Horton, Helena (28 November 2025). "‘A win for nature and people’: Elizabeth line soil used to create Essex bird haven". The Guardian: p. 26. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/26/elizabeth-line-soil-wallasea-island-essex-bird-haven.