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Welcome
to our monthly email, keeping you up-to-date with the latest news about the
Medmerry managed realignment scheme.
Click
here
for background information and history of the scheme.
Review of the detailed design
We have now completed the detailed design, which sets out how the all the
elements of the scheme will be constructed, such as the new floodbank, sluices, habitats and public paths.
One key
issue that has emerged is that ground where parts of the bank will be built
is soft. We need to be careful that the bank does not sink, so we may need
to build some of the bank in multiple layers. This may extend the programme
by a few months beyond the expected Autumn 2012 planned completion date for
this part of the work, but is unlikely to impact on our planned breach date
in 2013. We will be carrying out further targeted ground investigation on
site in July to give greater certainty on the construction programme.
Our next
step is to issue the drawings to the construction contractor to work out
the detailed programme for construction. Back to top
Local involvement and MStAG
We
held a workshop with public access representatives on 17 May 2011 to
explain all the access routes, proposed surfacing and details such as gates
and fencing. We also presented the draft designs for the viewing areas for
discussion.
The
key points the representatives made at this meeting were:
• Areas should to be available to walk dogs.
• Anti-social usage of public access routes will need
to be monitored.
• Stone surfacing will be required for some of the
footpaths.
• Interpretation boards should include a history of
the area.
We took
the ideas from the access workshop to the Medmerry
Stakeholder Advisory Group (MStAG) meeting we
held on 26 May 2011. We also presented the key draft design drawings and
the indicative construction timeline.
Two
key issues were raised, that we are looking into:
• There is an aspiration from the stakeholders to
extend the bridleway to the beach next to the Bunn Leisure site.
• Concern was raised about the impact environmental
designations might have on the area.
The full presentation and record of the MStAG meeting are available on our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/medmerry
Construction routes
We will make the banks from clay excavated
on site, and the rocks to protect the ends of the
banks will be brought in by sea. However, machinery and some materials will
need to be brought in by road. We have discussed the following construction
routes with West Sussex County Council Highways, which are designed to
minimise impacts:
•
The main access will be from the B2145 through the Southern Water Sewage
Works near Sidlesham Ferry
•
To build the freshwater outfall in the area and deliver rock moving
equipment, we will need to use the B2145 and through Bunn Leisure West
Sands.
•
To build the trackway down to the beach and one
of the freshwater outfalls, we will need to use the A286, B2198 and along
Clappers Lane, Earnley, then down Drove Lane and past the east side of the
Sussex Beach Holiday Village.
•
To build the trackway from Earnley southwards, we
will need to use Clappers Lane,
Bookers Lane
and then to a temporary site access a short distance along Almodington Lane.
• To build a section of track and the final two
freshwater outfalls, we will need to use the B2145, Keynor Lane,
Ham Road
and Easton Lane
to an access near to Easton Farm.
Other news
• During construction we will have a dedicated public
liaison officer one day a week. She will help communicate project progress
and will be the first point of contact for any questions.
• The RSPB will be managing many areas of the
farmland on our behalf. There will be an RSPB warden who will be able to
answer any questions about the future management of the site.
• There will need to be temporary footpath diversions
in the Ham area whilst the scheme is constructed. We have held discussions
with West Sussex County Council and we will be finalising these diversion
plans in July and August.
What will we be doing next?
Our project schedule is unchanged and we are on programme to start construction in autumn 2011. Our
current schedule is:
•
July/August/September 2011: Complete detailed construction
programming.
• Autumn
2011: Construction starts for access routes and sluices. Work will also
start on the new inland floodbanks, weather
permitting.
• Spring
2012: Construction continues on the new inland flood banks.
• Autumn
2012: New inland flood banks complete.
• Spring 2013: Breach made in existing
shingle bank.
Back to top
Need more information?
Further details about the project are available on
our website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/medmerry
If you have any questions about the project, please
email the project team on: medmerry@environment-agency.gov.uk
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Colin Maplesden
Project Manager
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