UK coastline changes to create new mudflats

8th July 2010

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The UK’s coastline has changed to create a new wildlife reserve as part of DP World’s London Gateway port and logistics park development.

New intertidal mudflats, 30 times the size of Trafalger Square, have been formed by removing 300m of the existing Essex coast’s flood defence wall and building a new sea wall around the area. These mudflats should provide habitat for thousands of birds which winter in the UK as well as the marine benthic invertebrates that they feed on.

Thomson Ecology, working for DP World will monitor the mudflats for bird populations.

Richard Arnold, Technical Director, Thomson Ecology, said
‘It is wonderful to see the new mudflats coming to fruition after years of advising on and surveying the site for wildlife. Amongst other birds, we hope to see avocets and black tailed godwits making a home here. The site is adjacent to a site of international importance for these species, the Thames Estuary and Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. In future, it may well form part of these important areas of nature conservation’.

Thomson Ecology has had to move reptiles, newts and water voles from the site in order to allow the new mudflats to be created. These animals will now be re-homed in suitable habitat created by their sister company, Thomson Habitats.

Simon Moore, chief executive of London Gateway said ‘This breach of the sea wall is an important milestone for us, as it allows us to complete the marine infrastructure required for the new port, which continues on schedule.’

The new wildlife reserve is part of the Mitigation, Compensation and Monitoring Agreement for London Gateway Port.

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