onionbagblog

The Wivenhoe Trail has had a few up and downs, so to speak, over the weekend. The downpour of late Friday evening led to an incredibly wet ride, or walk, for any locals heading out towards the Hythe. I know of *ahem* one local lady who has had a very dirty bottom all weekend.

The mucky pup.

And then with the crispness of the slight frost overnight on Saturday, the ride on Sunday was smoother than, um, a mucky pup’s bottom. No skid marks, and I’m not talking about @AnnaJCowen, either.

It seems that it is not just the seasons that are going to continue to change the appearance and environment around this wonderful local Wivenhoe facility. A sign has surfaced over the weekend, detailing some essential work about to be undertaken by the Environment Agency.

Squint above, or read the full text below:

“Vegetation Clearance on Seawalls

As part of our on-going programme to improve the condition of the sea fences we will be working on the seawall adjacent to this footpath.”

The sign appears at the point midway between Wivenhoe and the Hythe, where the Trail takes a sharp right climb, with a large tree to your right.

“Woody growth, brambles and trees on any part of a seawall can cause structural weakness and can encourage tunnelling from rabbits.”

Awwwww…

“This increases the flood risk to people and property”

People good, rabbits bad. Or something.

“Removing the vegetation makes the embankment more resistant to high tides and wave action. It will also increase the effectiveness of our planned inspections and maintenance.”

And so it would see that a slum clearance of wildlife is planned. You can’t turn back the tide, after all.

“We will be clearing the vegetation at the top and sides of the seawall and the adjacent strip of land. We recognise that this work will remove some long established woody areas [hang on...] bushes and brambles on the seawall. We will ensure that we will avoid harm to any neighbouring environmentally sensitive areas and Natural England are in agreement with us doing these works.

If you would like any more information please contact Nick Purdie at our Chelmsford Office on 01473 706100.”

As something of a new kid in town - is this a regular occurrence? I appreciate that the long-term protection of the land is the key, but I find the removal of some of the wooded area rather alarming.