Travellers on the River Crouch may have noticed some new additions to the scenery around Wallasea Island - some rather shiny and colourful new navigational buoys. In preparation for the new shipping trade to the Wallasea Wild Coast project, Crouch Harbour Authority, with support and assistance from London's Crossrail railway tunnelling project, is to carry out major improvements to the buoyage of the River Crouch approach channels from Whitaker Spit inwards to Burnham Fairway. Some of these buoys are unoffically named after notable Crouch characters, which I'm sure could lead to a future story! Seeing these markers, while passing on our way to view seals and their pups basking in the sun to the south of the island, it occurred to me how many partnerships are springing up, and still to develop, as a result of the RSPB work in the area
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The Wild Coast Project came into being thanks to more obvious partnerships with organisations such as Defra and the Environment Agency, but Crossrail is perhaps a less predictable one. However, as one of the largest civil engineering projects in Europe, it is a fitting marriage to Europe's biggest conservation project of its kind, and will no doubt open the doors to further agreements with other such huge, national projects as our site develops.
On a smaller,local level though, there is scope for much more entrepreneurial activity, with service providers and traders, some of whom we are already doing business with. The local ferry operator has recently reported a 278% increase in people crossing to Wallasea from Burnham, and our encouragement of sustainable travel, via Burnham station and ferry, will promote an exciting family day out - what better than a boat trip to an island reserve, followed by a wander round the town and maybe a meal or a spot of souvenir hunting?
Partnerships in any stage of life can be at various times, hard work, fun, challenging, and rewarding and here on Wallasea we are juggling with a whole range on a daily basis. Partners new and old are welcomed and soon become friends, so if you want to get involved with us just give me a call - it's not just for the birds you know!!
I've gone wild on Wallasea!