A new secondary line of defence has been put in place by the Agency to protect existing sand dune sea defences which are under pressure from the sea.

The RSPB’s flagship site is internationally designated for its coastal and freshwater nature conservation features and the new defences will protect the reserve in the south whilst allowing the coastal habitat to the north to naturally migrate landwards.  

To protect the majority of the flood plain from the sea to the south of the North Wall, the Coney Hill Cross Bank (also known as the North Wall) has been raised and improved to create a new flood defence. A new water control structure has also been constructed to enable the existing drainage to continue, but close when storm surges are expected.

During recent storm surges, seawater that flowed through the breach in the sand dunes ran into the gap between the primary and secondary banks causing some erosion of the footpath at the toe of the secondary bank.Two bunds have since been built to connect the primary and secondary banks just south of Coney Hill Cross Bank to control the movement of water in this area during storm surges.

Ben McFarland, RSPB Suffolk Area Manager said:

“This project was essential to ensure the long term future of the famous scrape, reedbeds and other freshwater habitats at Minsmere from rising sea levels. With thanks to the Environment Agency for all its hard work, we have now secured the future of a European Protected site, protecting iconic birds such as avocet, bittern and lapwing as well as otter and water vole.”

Construction work started in August 2011 and was completed ahead of programme in January at a cost of approximately £1 million.