WORK on a project to save an island from washing away could start in less than two years.
The Mersea Harbour Protection Trust, on Mersea Island, was set up to try to prevent the rapid erosion of the outer harbour saltmarsh and mudflats.
Last year, the trustees received consent from the Marine Management Organisation to go ahead with the project.
It will see 170,000 tonnes of a mix of gravel and sand shipped from Harwich and placed offshore to create beaches to protect the harbour mouth.
It will also provide new nesting sites for the internationally rare and endangered Little Tern.
The trust says this year a number of nests and chicks have been abandoned after visitors ignored signs asking people to stay away.
The material is being dredged up as part of navigation improvements to the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe.
Once complete the beaches will require specialist monitoring but could help protect the island for the next 70 years.
No date has been confirmed for the project to start but it could be in the spring of 2021 or 2022.
When it starts it will take three months to complete.
The trust has raised £83,000 to help bring about the plans.
Mark Nowers, RSPB conservation officer, said “This project is a fantastic example of a community stepping up to deal with the challenges of climate change, whilst providing new and exciting habitat for Little Terns in the Blackwater Estuary.”
Mark Johnson, area coastal manager for the Environment Agency, added: “We have worked closely with trust throughout the development of this project and are delighted that everything is now aligned for the beneficial re-use of sand and shingle arising from the planned Harwich Haven Authority navigational dredge.”
The project has also been backed by Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin.
Sir Bernard said: “The Mersea Harbour team have worked tirelessly for this. They prepared a good case, which I was happy to support.
“I am absolutely delighted that this is finally going to get going.
“I was also happy to secure the support of Harwich Haven Authority, whose dredgings will be used for the project.”
n The trust is on the look out of volunteers to help place fencing on the foreshore and to help with the monitoring.
Visit savemerseaharbour.org to find out more.
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