The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Not suitable for here though Andy.
Birders (like me) would only complain about the ugly pylons effecting the bird movements.

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

I was at Stonebridge last night and noticed that the Birse offices have moved onto the south end of Stonebridge car park.

Talking to a local resident I was told that The Environment Agency is in dispute with its contractor for some reason and have kicked them off site. The earliest the breach is now likely is 2015. Don't know if this is scurrilous gossip or not. Does anyone know what is going on?

Brief visit to Stonebridge last weekend while passing.
Very little action in and around the 'Birse Site' in the short time I was there.

Anyone know what's occurring here, or if/when the breach is likely?

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

According to the expensive plan and poster in the new, park where you dare, car park the site has already been breached in 2013. Most of the plant and all the portacabins have gone and there is a beautiful roundabout under construction.

I was told 2 wks ago by the workers on site the breach was not going to happen until the footpath issue is resolved and the breach would not happen till next year,

terry whalin

Explain please Graham?

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

i folks i will let you know after the weekend all about whats going on as we got a site meeting about the parking for us seal wardens when ive talked to rob and see if he nows whats going on about this area . john lusby

I spoke to a couple of the 'Birse' contractors still on site at Donna Nook yesterday.
They told me Birse are finishing the R/about & clearing up before leaving the site.

I asked about habitat replacement/creation near to the breach site.
It would seem there are no plans to replace any trees/bushes likely to be lost at Pyes Hall breach area.
All of which will likely be lost when flooding takes place and destroys the often migrant rich habitat we have enjoyed at Pyes Hall.

I was also informed that 'Birse' will not be involved in the breaching work (Autumn 2015 was mentioned).
If/when it ever happen another contractor will be employed to do the work.

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

i all been to people on site all the site will be clear by monday or tuesday at the most fenceing will be down .and know one can tel me anthing whats going to happen i see the site boss i says its all up in the air at the momant about whats going on no one knows iam going to be down there as from next week for 15 weeks as its seal time again i will keep my ears and eyes open to see if anythink comes up and i will let you know john lusby seal warden.

thanks derick i did not see yours that sum it up any way nothing going get done until 20 ? ive been down there today there takeing all the equitm out they be gone by the end of the week know . john lusby.

All the fencing has now been taken down so I walked all the way round the scheme, it took me about 2 hours. I didn't see many birds but there are some nice pools on the site. I'm still hoping that it may become an RSPB reserve sometime.
Geoff

LCC's Countryside Access Manager is about to make a Public Path Diversion Order, which will effectively close the footpath at the proposed breach at Pye's. There will be 4 weeks of public consultation, after which, if objections are received, and are not withdrawn, the decision will be taken whether to refer the matter to the Secretary of State (Planning Inspectorate) for determination via the Written Representations procedure, at a Hearing or Public Inquiry.

What a pig's ear the contractors have made when surfacing the new car park. The plastic grids that should have given a firm surface for vehicles are too low, so already the area is a sea of mud. The roundabout positioned in the old car park has already been removed as it was deemed too large for coaches to negotiate.

happy days!

Geoff

after what people was about last weekend the car park was a waste of time they was parking all over the place iam on duty at the weekend iam dearing what its going to be like as wardens we got nothing to do with with car park any more but we still get a lot of trouble about it at times . bring the welli boots john lusby

I spoke to Mark Adams at the Environment Agency last night. He is the manager for the Donna Nook realignment. He told me there are plans afoot to lock open the sea gates at Pyes Hall by the end of November in order to start the process of salt marsh/mud flat formation. This will not be a complete solution as they believe insufficient seawater will get through to completely flood the area. It will be interesting to see what happens. I made my first complete circumnavigation of the site on Sunday now all the fences are down and it looks really good with some excellent freshwater pools especially in the NW corner.

However EA remains committed to closing the footpath at Pyes Hall in order to make a complete breach and they say they will follow the legal process to get what they planned from the outset.

I walked around the new banking last week. A tedious and sterile route, it's a pity that a few bushes and young trees haven't been planted to provide some cover.
What really struck me was how exposed people are on the bank. As I approached Stonebridge beyond Porter's sluice, I stopped to watch a large flock of Brents and mixed ducks (many widgeon) on a pool that had formed. I was quickly spotted and the whole lot took off, heading north. Perhaps there are plans to erect some screening and a few hides, but as it stands, it's not a walk I'd do again in a hurry.
Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 states that a diverted path should offer 'equal or greater enjoyment to the user than the existing one'. This proposal, now at the formal consultation stage, therefore fails the first test.

Geoff