A TEN-year project to restore a historic nature reserve are finally set to be complete.

The project to restore Wallasea Island saw three-million tonnes of excavated material taken to create new land across the reserve, roughly the size of 270 football pitches in size.

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford visited the reserve which he has been a major supporter of for a long time. 

He said: “Managing our landscapes well for nature in the face of wildlife loss and the effects of climate change is a massive challenge.

“The scale and scope of the Wild Coast project’s ambition in transforming Wallasea Island, not only creating wetland habitats rich in wildlife, but helping adapt the coast to future sea level rises, shows what is possible when people work together to meet this challenge head on.”

As part of the final restoration works, coastal wetland habitats have been created, which will provide space for avocets and ringed plovers, wintering brent geese, and birds of prey including merlins and short-eared owls to continue breeding.

The new habitats are measured as twice the size of the city of London, and the largest in Northern Europe.

James Preston, from Crossrail, which supported the restoration, said: “Three years after we successfully breached the old sea walls, the tide has continued to flood in twice a day across Jubilee Marsh, and during this time the wild coastal habitat has really taken shape.

“We look back and remember the challenges we encountered and overcame on the journey to create the largest wetland restoration project in the UK.

“A true lasting legacy which will benefit generations for years to come.”
Ten years ago, the plans were reportedly expected to cost around £12million.

Further plans to extend the reserve’s 9km network of footpaths have also been put in place.

Chris Tyas, RSPB Wallasea Island’s Wild Coast project manager, said: “It has been a long journey to get here from those early first discussions about an idea that has now almost been fully realised.

“I’m very proud to have played my small part, but it has been a mighty team effort, and I hope everyone involved shares in that pride with me.”