A new conservation project to strengthen the sand dunes along Berrow beach and reduce the risk of erosion is underway.

Members of Berrow Conservation Group, Sedgemoor District Council’s conservation team and Bristol University’s Conservation Group have built a 40-metre line of wooden fencing in the sand, filled with vegetation, to shore up the natural sea defences.

The work first started earlier this year and is already being hailed a success, with damage to the dunes from onshore winds and sea water already being reduced, although the real test will be over the winter period.

Sedgemoor District Council’s landscape officer, Janette Burton (pictured above) told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “A 40m section of sand fencing has been installed using a private landscape contractor and volunteers from Bristol University Conservation Group.”

“Cut sea buckthorn from the nature reserve has also been used to create a natural sand fence.”

“The results have been very positive so far since the sand is building up behind, creating new dunes.”

The sand dunes are part of Berrow’s Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), managed by Sedgemoor District Council with support from Natural England and the Berrow Conservation Group.

Over recent years the reserve’s steering committee have been monitoring the condition of the foredunes.

“Several high tides eroded the foredunes and ‘blow outs’ resulted, leaving the dunes system along the beach vulnerable to further erosion. That’s why we’re tackling it in this way,” added Janette.

Further work to plant up the newly formed dunes is scheduled for early in 2012, again using volunteers.

 
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