Post by dazzer on Jan 30, 2021 16:37:17 GMT
We are particularly fortunate in Wivenhoe to enjoy good access to our riverside.
The path that follows the track of the old railway line alongside the Colne below Alresford Grange is very attractive.
I've noted recently that the seawall has suffered serious erosion at one point so once it is breached we risk losing that section of the path.
I reported the issue to the Ramblers Association and on the Essex County Council footpath site [ Report number: 2697331 ]. Location ECC have inspected it but since the path is not currently blocked they are not taking any action other than monitoring it periodically.
The national policy of managed retreat means there is no appetite nor budget for seawall repairs so the issue sits on a boundary between two organisations, a situation that normally means nobody does anything.
In the vacuum of inaction is there an appetite in Wivenhoe to explore whether there is an opportunity to do something to save the path ourselves, back in the past the community built a footbridge over a breach in the wall between Wivenhoe and Colchester. There is a picture in the Black Buoy showing this action.
I know that we would need to understand the legal considerations and liabilities but when the authorities that in the past used to maintain our environment withdraw, local groups are often encouraged to step in.
I've included a chart and some context photographs and look forward to hear what other people think, I'd be pleased to help.
Location
=====
Grid ref: TM 05475 20593 / 51°50′46″N , 000°58′54″E / 51.846111,0.981667
What three Words: covertly.parkway.almost
X (Easting) , Y (Northing): 605475 , 220593
The path that follows the track of the old railway line alongside the Colne below Alresford Grange is very attractive.
I've noted recently that the seawall has suffered serious erosion at one point so once it is breached we risk losing that section of the path.
I reported the issue to the Ramblers Association and on the Essex County Council footpath site [ Report number: 2697331 ]. Location ECC have inspected it but since the path is not currently blocked they are not taking any action other than monitoring it periodically.
The national policy of managed retreat means there is no appetite nor budget for seawall repairs so the issue sits on a boundary between two organisations, a situation that normally means nobody does anything.
In the vacuum of inaction is there an appetite in Wivenhoe to explore whether there is an opportunity to do something to save the path ourselves, back in the past the community built a footbridge over a breach in the wall between Wivenhoe and Colchester. There is a picture in the Black Buoy showing this action.
I know that we would need to understand the legal considerations and liabilities but when the authorities that in the past used to maintain our environment withdraw, local groups are often encouraged to step in.
I've included a chart and some context photographs and look forward to hear what other people think, I'd be pleased to help.
Location
=====
Grid ref: TM 05475 20593 / 51°50′46″N , 000°58′54″E / 51.846111,0.981667
What three Words: covertly.parkway.almost
X (Easting) , Y (Northing): 605475 , 220593