Final phase for huge environmental project to return valley to past shape
Devon's biggest climate change and re-wilding project in generations moves into its final phase from today
Last updated 14th Aug 2023
The final phase of work before the flooding of Devon's Otter Valley is getting underway from today
The nature reserve, near Budleigh Salterton, is part of reclaimed land which is being returned to how it was hundreds of years ago.
The Environment Agency say climate change means they're having to manage the process as change will happen without intervention.
We have previously reported on the scheme
A spokesperson for The Environment Agency said: "This significant stage in the project will see the new footbridge installed, a 70-metre section of embankment removed and over 2,000 tonnes of rock placed around the footbridge over a period of up to three months.
"The work can only be done at low tide which may mean working outside of normal hours. The location of this work will cause some temporary disruption to parking in the northeast corner of Lime Kiln car park. Areas of the car park will be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so.
"As you may be aware it was not possible to complete the works prior to the summer holidays due to the presence of nesting birds. It is also not possible to delay these works until later in the year, as installing the bridge requires low wind speeds. This combination of circumstances means there is no alternative but to work during the busier summer period; the team would like to thank you for your understanding and continued patience.
"From the Monday 4th September (to the end October), the South West coast path from the car park to White Bridge will be temporarily diverted. The diversion will be via the newly surfaced footpath (BS12) on the western edge of the valley, from Granary Lane to South Farm Road. If it is deemed safe by the project team, temporary access to the closed section of coast path may* be allowed for a short period during this time.
"We hope that walkers will continue to enjoy the newly surfaced path on the west of the side of the valley (BS12). The footpath on the west of the valley north from South Farm Road, to Big Bank (EB3) will re-open by the end of July. At the same time the new footpath onto the former tip area will be open to walkers, adding an additional route and providing access to the new wildlife viewing area to the south.
"In total, we will have improved access to 3.3km of footpath, raised circa 2.5km of footpath, constructed over 600m of pavement and created over 500m of new public right of way footpath."