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Upper Alde and Ore Estuary 2nd Update

The second Upper Alde Ore Estuary Embankment Improvements Newsletter has been received giving an update on work complete over the last two months and a forward look as part of the c.£12m Phase 1 works of the whole Alde & Ore Estuary Plan. Click here to read.

Upper Alde and Ore Estuary Update

Wonderful news:  work on improving the river defence can now go ahead. Government funding has – at last –  come through for Phase 1 – the  Upper Estuary project. The work involved will get all the river walls in good repair so that, come 2050, and even allowing for rising sea level,  they should be able to withstand a surge of the 1953 flood proportions. Please see the Upper Alde Ore Estuary Embankment Improvements Newsletter . This is a great outcome from all of our efforts to secure the estuary for future generations.  It is the result of prolonged efforts by many people and organisations, both voluntary and government.  A crucial step, in which the Association played a key role, was the establishment of the original Estuary Partnership – and later with the Alde and Ore Estuary Trust the body set up to raise the necessary funds (see message from AOET here). It is also involved in the planning as a member of the Alde and Ore Estuary Partnership – the body set up to raise the necessary funds. It is also involved in the Alde and Ore Community Partnership – the body which brings together representatives of all the affected places and communities. . We will let  you know more as  more details are developed but the plan is for the Upper Estuary walls (Phase One) to be completed by the end of 2027. At the same time preparatory work is now under way for Phase Two – the Lower Estuary.

The Energy Coast – Consultation Update

The Trustees of the Alde and Ore Association have attended webinars and open days over the last two months given by the two separate project developer companies for Sea Link and EuroLink. As shown on the Association website we were looking at the proposals from the point of view of the possible impact on the Alde and Ore estuary and the adjacent coast. At this pre statutory consultation stage the plans presented have been more of an overview of possible landfalls and cable routes to possible convertors stations which might them link up to the large Friston Sub-station, if it is built. There are maps with possible cable lines and sites but little more detail. While the consultation questionnaire poses questions wanting yes/no answers or specific preferences, the basic evidence and information presented is not yet ready or does not yet exist to enable such answers. But, Trustees have considered what is known and the Association responses instead draw attention to the important local coastal features which should not be overlooked in the next detailed working phase and provides warnings about impacting adversely on the coast. To see these responses, please see below. If you would like to let us know your views, raise issues or offer information or help, please email us on info@aldeandore.org. We can expect a full statutory consultation, likely to be later in 2023, when there will be a great deal more work to examine the in-depth proposals presented, but, by responding now and stressing the importance of not impacting on the coast and affecting sea defences and the river, the Association’s defence of the area has been made clear.   2022 Sea Link Non statutory consultation AOA response 2022 EuroLink Alde and Ore Association response

Third time lucky for cranes as young fledged for first time on Suffolk coast this year

Cranes successfully raised two chicks on RSPB Snape Wetlands Nature Reserve in Suffolk earlier this year. They are the first ever recorded pair to fledge young on the Suffolk coast. The 82 hectare (202 acres) wetland near Snape Maltings is relatively new, with initial work to convert dry grassland into wetland and reedbed starting in 2008, forging to completion in 2014. Ponds and pools were excavated, and water levels were controlled to sculpt and create the wetland. Since that time, RSPB Snape Wetlands has already attracted breeding bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit as well as providing new habitat for mammals such as otter and water vole. The pair of cranes who successfully raised two chicks on the reserve this summer, have attempted to nest in the wetland for two years previously, however they had not been able to fledge young. The reserve still has a lot of time to develop and is very much a work in progress as it becomes established however, in partnership with the Environment Agency, the reserve is already teeming with wildlife. The crane is a rare breeder in Britain with around 65 pairs breeding each year. Originally returning to the Norfolk broads in 1979, numbers are now steadily increasing with other populations being found in south Yorkshire, East Anglian Fens and with assistance via a crane introduction project, the Somerset levels and Moors. Cranes need wetland (e.g. reedbed, fen, lowland bog, grazing marsh) to breed in, away from disturbance and with protection from predators. They make a nest in open water, often in emerging vegetation. After the eggs hatch, the family typically look for food near to the nest site for several weeks, but as the chicks get older, they roam further afield. Aaron Howe, RSPB Site Manager – South Suffolk Coast said: “To have cranes successfully breed and fledge on the Suffolk coast for the first time and for it be on our relatively new Snape Wetlands reserve, is a great achievement. We hope this kick starts the population of cranes on the Suffolk coast and they become more widespread within the area of outstanding natural beauty. “The cranes fledged the nest back in August, but because these birds are very susceptible to disturbance by people, we’ve waited until the family had time to grow and leave the site for the winter before shouting about how amazing this moment is. We will continue to manage the reserves wetlands to encourage more cranes to breed here, hopefully next year and beyond, and we thank the Environment Agency for their continued support.” Mark Johnson, Environment Agency’s Area Coastal Manager (East Anglia) said: “We are really pleased that the new wetland at Snape has been so successful. It is testament to how the RSPB manage these important sites for species such as the crane. The Environment Agency are proud to be involved in this type of partnership.” Please note: RSPB Snape Wetlands is closed to the public due to no rights of way through the site and restricted access, so is not currently accessible for visitors. About the RSPB: The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations. Cranes with their chicks at RSPB Snape Wetlands 2022 (c) Andrew Moon

The Energy Coast – further consultations

This month sees two sets of open day and online consultations in relation to Sea Link, which is intended to provide for the passage from Suffolk (Friston) to the Kent power distribution network, and EuroLink which will, as the name implies, allow passage of electricity both ways between Europe and England via the proposed Friston substation. The consultations are to sound out the views of the public on the options being looked at for landfall /entry points on the coast and cable routes, to be contained in covered trenches, from landfall inland to the Friston substation. The Alde and Ore Association will be checking all of these applications for any adverse impact on our estuary and its adjoining coastline. The Sea Link open days are as follows: Thursday 10 November 1pm – 8pm Old Generator Station, King’s Field, Aldeburgh, IP15 5HY Friday 11 November 1pm – 8pm Friston Village Hall , Church Road, Friston, IP17 1PU Saturday 12 November 10am – 5pm Fromus Centre, The Saxmundham Hub, Street Farm, Saxmundham, IP17 1AL The EuroLink open days are spread between 23 November to 1 December: Leiston – Wednesday 23 November 10am – 4pm Waterloo Centre, Waterloo Avenue, Leiston, IP16 4HE Saxmundham – Thursday 24 November 2pm – 8pm Saxmundham Market Hall, High St, Saxmundham IP17 1AF Aldeburgh – Friday 25 November 10am – 4pm St Peter and St Paul’s Church Hall, Victoria Road, Aldeburgh, IP15 5DU Reydon – Wednesday 30 November 10am – 4pm Stella Peskett Hall, Mights Rd, Southwold IP18 6BE Dunwich – Thursday 1 December 2pm – 8pm Dunwich Museum, James Street, Saxmundham IP17 3DT Please click below for the consultation leaflets National grid press release – SEAlink SEAlink newsletter Eurolink Consultation leaflet

Latest Environment Agency factsheet on repairs of the river walls fronting the Aldeburgh Town Marshes

Click here for the latest  Environment Agency fact sheet on repairs to be made to in several  places the front of the river walls fronting the Aldeburgh Town Marshes. The spots chosen include those submitted by the Association’s River Defence Committee in its annual survey reports. There will be some restriction to walking along parts of the wall for 8-10 weeks  but the repairs are welcome. This work is separate from the major Estuary Plan project  to upgrade the river walls involving essentially the height, tops and back slopes of the walls, but will make the wall more resilient  for the coming winter.

‘Queen’s Award’ flag presentation

On Saturday 16th April, at 11.00 am, (weather permitting) a ‘Queen’s Award’ flag will be presented to the ferry volunteers on the Capel St. Andrew bank and will be run up the flagpole. The presentation will be made by Judith Shallow, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.   All are welcome.

How to plan ahead for flooding

The environment agency has provided some information on how to plan ahead for flooding.   Click here to read their advice.