Issue 20 Spring 2021 SevernTidings Working in partnership for the future of the Severn Estuary 25 Years Inside... of SEP Photo of the Year 2021 1 Meet the SEP Team 4 An Estuary Round Up 6 Area Statements 7 South West Marine Plan 9 Welsh National 9 Marine Plan Litter Free Coast and 10 Sea Somerset Discover the Severn 12 25th Anniversary 15 Celebrations Illustrated Map of the 16 Severn Estuary State of the Estuary 18 1995 to Now England Coast Path 25 ASERA Good Practice 25 Guidelines Walking the Wales 26 Coast Path Ports and Shipping 27 Photo of the Year credit – © Jason Hawkes

Discover. Enjoy. Respect.

www.severnestuarypartnership.org.uk Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 2 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 3

Welcome recruiting a new project officer, as both Day (JED) Meeting in June 2020, and, of on our ability to deliver this –the team John Harrison Severn Estuary Tanya Cox and Emily Wordley have moved course, our planning for this year’s Severn adapted to online working, keeping our Chairman of the Severn Estuary on to new opportunities in recent months! Estuary Forum. communities engaged and delivering new Partnership Partnership Update Keep your eyes open for information about campaigns throughout the year, including this new position in e-news soon! Finally, featuring on This Morning in February! SEP Welcome to the 25th Anniversary Marine Planning: Project Delivery Edition of the Severn Estuary Dr Emma McKinley, we are absolutely delighted to take this and Influencing Policy would like to thank Emily Wordley and Partnership’s Severn Tidings. Severn Estuary Partnership and Cardiff University opportunity to introduce and welcome our Tanya Cox for their amazing contribution to Throughout 2020, SEP continued to liaise I do hope you will enjoy our reflections on the incoming SEP Manager, Alys Morris, who will the project. Tanya had been with us since Over the last 25 years, the Severn Estuary Partnership has had with the Marine Management Organisation past 25 years and join us as we look forward to the be joining the team in early summer 2021. 2017 and has now go on to a new position the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of exciting and (MMO), Welsh Government (WG) and the years to come. with Flora and Fauna International – huge interesting projects, working closely with stakeholders and Coastal Partnership Network (CPN) to ensure We all have our own personal perspectives on the Estuary Adapting to Change thanks to Tanya for all of her work on the communities across the Estuary. the Severn is properly considered and all and inner Bristol Channel. Having lived, worked, and enjoyed LFCSS project during her time with us! We Of course, 2020 brought some challenging stakeholders are given a voice in matters many leisure activities in and around the estuary over the are also incredibly grateful to Emily, who past 65 years, I have come to the conclusion that it’s just too Celebrating 25 years of SEP times for SEP, and all of the people, groups relating to the development of marine joined us just weeks before the lockdown large for one person to know all its treasures and challenges. and organisations we work with. As with planning. As part of this, in August 2020, We are delighted that the Severn Estuary Partnership reached its restrictions were implemented in 2020 and However, thanks to all those who are committed to working many organisations, the initial impact of we finalised our work on the MMO’s EMFF in partnership, there is a never-ending supply of information 25th Anniversary last year in 2020. Despite the impact of Covid-19 despite the challenges of getting to know a Covid-19 meant a few unsettled weeks bid “Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement”, which enables SEP to promote a more sustainable approach for restrictions on activities, we have enjoyed looking back at the past new team, and community stakeholders in a as we adjusted to working remotely and including an animation and a poster series. the estuary. 25 years, reaching out to past members and chairs of the Partnership, completely virtual format, Emily continued worked to develop new ways of engaging No one would disagree that estuary living presents significant and thinking about next 25 years of SEP! As part of these celebrations, the fantastic activities of the LFCSS project, with communities and stakeholders across challenges today, including a number of environmental, social the Severn Estuary Forum 2021 programme showcases an exciting Litter Free Coast including curating our wonderful celebratory the Estuary. Despite the initial stall that and economic issues. Reading the articles in this special edition range of speakers representing the projects and research happening & Sea Somerset: SEP film! Emily has now gone on to further Covid-19 had on our work, the team have of Tidings reminds us that estuary life was also challenging for across the Estuary, and we are excited to welcome many of you. Delivery and her academic studies, and we would like to our predecessors, from early Mesolithic settlers seasonal use been busy behind the scenes, providing Project Expansion take this opportunity to wish her well! of the estuary through to vulnerable communities today under Changes to the SEP Team all our usual services to various Estuary threat from climate change. Yet there are common themes groups, engaging with stakeholders and Our flagship project, which remain constant: Launch of the new SEP website Since our last Severn Tidings update, the SEP team has undergone communities on both sides of the Estuary, Litter Free Coast • A dynamic environment where land and water change lots of changes! Many of you will remember Lucy Taylor was our SEP developing online campaign materials, and Sea Somerset, We are SO excited to launch our brand-new rapidly, sometimes uncontrollably. Manager during our last Forum and Tidings edition – in March 2020, and, most excitingly, planning for when has definitely been website – as always, you can keep up to • A maritime highway which has shaped our communities’ Lucy left us for pastures new and is now settled into her new position restrictions lift! We continue to provide one of our 2020 success stories! With an date with everything we’re doing as well as economy and wellbeing. with the Environment Agency. Big thanks go to Lucy for all of her up to the minute information about the award of additional funding, the team have useful information about activities, events • A special haven for wildlife which is now recognised passion and enthusiasm for SEP during her time with the Partnership! estuary using a range of social media outlets been working hard to continue to engage and projects happening around the Severn internationally. In the interim period, Dr Emma McKinley, Cardiff University, has including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. communities in campaigns and activities Estuary. SEP’s achievements over the past 25 years have been due been supporting the SEP team and has worked closely with the Litter Since March 2020, we have moved all of our designed to reduce marine and beach largely to the support of many individuals and organisations Free Coast and Sea Somerset project, as well as supporting everyday meetings and engagement activities online, litter and protect bathing water quality in - too numerous to list here! However, one person is deserving Somerset. Of course, Covid-19 had an impact of recognition in our 25th Anniversary Year management of the team over the last year or so. In addition, since which included our first virtual Joint Estuary - Dr Rhoda Ballinger, School of Earth we last published Severn Tidings, the team has also welcomed and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff Barbara Wren, our administrative assistant, and Katie Havard-Smith, University. Rhoda was instrumental our SEP and ASERA officer (find out more about Barbs and Katie in the establishment of SEP and on Page 4!). Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset has always been has worked tirelessly to support one of our most active projects – we are currently in the process of the partnership over the last 25 years! Her dedication to developing a strong and effective We are pleased to award Jason Hawkes with ‘SEP Photo of the Year team lies at the heart of SEP’s 2021.’ If you have a Severn Estuary-related photo that you would like achievements. Her ability to build to submit for the SEP ‘Photo of the Month’, please send your images lasting relationships with a diverse to [email protected]. The winner for each month will be featured range of stakeholders and her engaging in our SEP e-newsletter! personality are well recognised by all of Dr Rhoda Ballinger those who have worked with her, both across the Severn Estuary and beyond. Her independent and evidence led approach has earned her respect locally, nationally, and internationally. Most of all it is her passion for the estuary over Our Contributors: the past 25 years which shines though and stimulates others At SEP our key role is to keep all of our stakeholders informed of project to participate in working towards a sustainable estuary for all. developments and proposals that are happening within, or will have an Without Rhoda, SEP may not have had the success and longevity impact on, the Severn Estuary. In this edition we are delighted to have it has had, and, as Chair, I want to take this opportunity to contributions and viewpoints from a wide variety of estuary groups, projects express our immense gratitude to Rhoda for all the work and and organisations: passion she has, and continues to, put into SEP. I hope you enjoy reading Tidings 2021 and join in our Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities, Severn Estuary Coastal celebrations over the coming months. A very special thanks to Group, Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre, Plymouth Coastal Observatory, all the SEP team based at Cardiff University who have worked Cardiff University, The Marine Management Organisation, Welsh Government, hard to support the partnership and have continued to build Natural Resources Wales, The Bristol Port Company, Associated British Ports, links with stakeholders, particularly during a challenging last 12 Somerset Wildlife Trust, The Living Levels Landscape Partnership, Forest of months or so. Dean District Council, Severn Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, Newport City We live in a special place! Thank you for all the continued Council, Natural England. support to ensure everyone understands why we must care for the estuary and recognise its contribution to the lives, We would be interested to hear your views on the wide range of topics livelihoods and well-being of communities across the Severn featured in this edition. Please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. Estuary. South West Marine Plan Animation Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 4 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 5

As we look back at 25 years of SEP, we thought we should also look at where the Meet The SEP Team SEP team were back in 1995, when it all started! Take a look below!

Describe your role within the Severn Estuary Partnership.

I am responsible for the day-to-day communications of SEP, including ww our social media channels, monthly e-newsletter and annual Severn Tidings magazine. I also organise events and meetings and share in the secretariat responsibilities. I am also the Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities (ASERA) Officer, where I am responsible for undertaking and facilitating the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the Management Scheme on behalf of the ASERA members. Katie in 1995 Name: Rhoda Ballinger Name: Alys Morris Name: Emma McKinley Name: Katie Havard-Smith Role: Member of SEP Management Group; Role: Severn Estuary Partnership Manager Role: SEP Temporary Manager Role: Severn Estuary Partnership and What has been your favorite aspect of working within the partnership and why? Time worked: starting in June 2021 Time worked: Unofficially since 2016; European Marine Site Officer Line Manager of SEP staff My favourite aspect of working within the partnership has been learning all about the Severn officially since 2020 Time worked: August 2019 - Present Time worked: 25 years! Describe your role within the Severn Estuary; its unique wildlife and habitats, alongside its thriving human landscape. Estuary Partnership. Describe your role within the Severn Describe your role within the Severn What are you excited to start work on in the partnership’s 26th year? Estuary Partnership. Estuary Partnership. I will be starting in the I am excited for our annual Severn Estuary Forum in May, and for our Severn Estuary role of Severn Estuary I’ve been actively engaged with SEP, and its I’ve worked with SEP on Big Beach Clean in September. predecessor, the Severn Estuary Strategy, Partnership Manager different projects over more or less since its inception. I’ve also in June 2021. With the last 5 years – since Where is your favorite place in the Severn Estuary and how does it make you feel? responsibility for the March 2020, I have been been involved with staff management and My favourite place on the Severn Estuary is the Severn Way near Oldbury-on-Severn. It strategic development supporting the team as overseeing some of the European projects, always makes me feel inspired and connected to the ebb and flow of the estuary and I of the Partnership I will Temporary Manager, which such as IMCORE, which SEP has been involved love watching the birds pick through the mudflats! with. lead the coordination has really meant I have and management of been lucky enough to work A moody Severn Estuary - © Katie Havard-Smith Alys in 1995 What has been your favorite aspect of day-to-day activities closely with the whole team working within the partnership and why? of the Partnership team and oversee the and most of the different provision of the Partnership’s secretariat groups we are involved Emma in 1995 Meeting stakeholders from around the services and project delivery. with! Describe your role within the Severn Estuary Partnership. Estuary and discussing their views and aspirations for the future management of the What are you excited to start work on in What has been your favorite aspect of I am responsible for handling the day-to-day admin and providing support to the team which includes dealing with enquiries, emails and finances, creating area. the partnership’s 26th year? working within the partnership and why? and maintaining files and records, and organising and minuting meetings. I am What are you excited to start work on in 2021 is a year in which bold targets and plans My work is all focused on how people interact the general point of contact for internal and external stakeholders. the partnership’s 26th year? already made in relation to sustainability and connect with our ocean, coasts and seas What has been your favorite aspect of working within the partnership and should translate into actionable changes. I’m – and so I particularly enjoyed working on the I’m particularly excited to see how we can really excited to start my role with SEP at this Discover the Severn project, and working to why? expand our hands-on project work (such as Name: Barbara Wren important time, in order to help realise the better understand how people feel about and I enjoy learning about and exploring my local area and so it has been LFCSS and the Discover the Severn) to the rest Role: Admin Assistant vision of a sustainably managed and thriving connect with the Severn Estuary. Working incredibly fascinating discovering more about the nature and wildlife and of the Estuary. Time worked: May 2019 - Present Severn Estuary. with the team over the last year or so, has points of interest associated with the Severn Estuary. Barbara in 1995 Where is your favorite place in the Severn given me such an interesting and valuable Where is your favorite place in the Severn Estuary and how does it make you feel? insight into all of existing work happening Where is your favorite place in the Severn Estuary and how does it make you feel? Estuary and how does it make you feel? across the Estuary! This is a really difficult question as I have lots I love to visit Porthkerry Country Park as its range of habitats provides a whole variety of interests Growing up on the Glamorgan Heritage of favourite places and to some extent it is What are you excited to start work on in for individuals and families. It’s a beautiful space to explore and relax. Being there makes me feel Coast, the stretch of coastline between weather-dependent! However, I frequently the partnership’s 26th year? connected to history (you can’t miss the Victorian viaduct!) as well as the environment via the green Monknash and Nash point has always been enjoy visiting the shore from Cardiff Bay and blue spaces. my favorite place! Hidden away down a long I’m excited to be thinking about how we to Lavernock Point and appreciating the winding track it’s never busy, so when you can continue to work with communities and mudscapes associated with the Estuary’s reach the beach you get an amazing sense of stakeholders over the next few years – and massive tidal range. peace and tranquility. continuing to find exciting ways that we can try to better understand how people value and connect with the beautiful land- and seascapes of the Severn Estuary.

Where is your favorite place in the Severn Estuary and how does it make you feel?

OOOh! There are so many to choose from! In our house, we love a quick dash over to the beaches around Barry – it’s so close for us to get a frequently needed dose of Vitamin Sea, as well as being a great place for dog walks with Bodhi, our pooch!

Penarth Head from Cardiff Bay Barrage - © Rhoda Ballinger Bodhi in Barry – ©Emma McKinley Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 6 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 7

In September 2019, Drs Emma McKinley communities more resilient to the effects of In January 2021, the UN Decade of Ocean An Estuary Round Up and Rhoda Ballinger started work on the climate change. As part of the project, the Science for Sustainable Development Coastal Communities Adapting Together team ran an online event about all sorts of was launched by the United Nations. The The Association of Severn Estuary manager of inshore fisheries in England, it is likely that at least 3 of the 4 meetings (CCAT) project, an INTERREG Ireland-Wales issues relating to climate change, coastal Decade sets out a call for a transformation Relevant Authorities (ASERA) and has a range of other roles as a Relevant in future will remain virtual even after funded project, running until November management and community engagement in the relationship between people and the Authority for the Severn Estuary EMS, which restrictions ease. 2021. Working with partners across Ireland – you can see the recordings of the event on ocean, coasts and seas. One aspect of this Katie Havard-Smith, ASERA Officer falls within its District. Anne Hayes and and Wales, led by University College Dublin, the CCAT website! In response to Covid-19, is a demand for enhancing ocean literacy – Recent meetings have included updates ASERA is made up Louise Hemmings (both of the Bristol Port the project focuses on coastal communities the project team also moved to a completely currently defined as ‘an understanding of the on the Regional Coastal Monitoring of the statutory Company) were elected to remain in their in Fingal, Ireland, and Pembrokeshire, Wales. online format for all activities and have ocean’s influence on you and your influence programmes, bird feeding and roosting organisations respective roles as Vice-Chair and Honorary Through a diverse programme of activities, recently published a paper reflecting on this on the ocean’ across society. Dr Emma sites, modelling of flood risk and climate around the Severn Treasurer of the Association. All would like CCAT seeks to support communities in process and what it might mean for coastal McKinley recently led a report on ocean change and the refresh of the Shoreline Estuary that collectively manage their to thank the outgoing Chair, Sarah Revill understanding how they can adapt to community engagement now and in the literacy in the UK, funded by Department Management Plan. The forthcoming activities on the Severn Estuary European (Natural Resources Wales) for her excellent climate change through workshops and future. If you’d like more information on of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs meetings will have a focus on Research Marine Site (EMS). The Severn Estuary EMS work and continued commitment to the initiatives such as mapping the changes this, get in touch with Dr Emma McKinley at (DEFRA) and the Ocean Conservation Trust. and Development, Habitats, flood incident incorporates the marine areas of both the Association. in their area and planning to make their [email protected]. readiness and the Refresh of the Shoreline Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and For more information, please contact the Management Plan. Special Protection Area (SPA), protected ASERA Officer, Katie Havard-Smith, at under the Habitats Regulations. [email protected] or visit our website at Cardiff University Update ASERA is currently updating the Good www.asera.orag.uk. Dr Emma McKinley, Severn Policy Updates Practice Guidelines for recreational Estuary Partnership activities taking place within the Severn Severn Estuary Coastal Group Estuary EMS. These will be published on the Update Over the last 25 years, SEP Natural Resources Wales’ Area Statements ASERA website (www.asera.org.uk) in both has worked closely with John Buttivant, Severn Cardiff University, particularly English and Welsh and will be promoted Chloe Hatton, People & Places Officer, Our Area Statements are the result of two • The 4 South East Wales priority themes: Estuary Coastal Group with the, recently rebranded and renamed, throughout the estuary. Turn to page 25 Chair Natural Resources Wales years’ hard work and collaboration between Linking our Landscapes, Climate Ready School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. for more information on the purpose of the a large number of cross-disciplinary Gwent, Healthy Active Connected and The Severn Estuary Coastal Since the last edition of Severn Tidings, work The purpose of NRW’s Area Statements is guidelines and the activities they cover. organisations. NRW and numerous partners Ways of Working; Group has a core membership on the RESILCOAST and CoastWEB projects to identify priorities and opportunities for worked together to first understand where ASERA is undertaking a desk-based study to of local authorities and statutory agencies has been completed, including a report on the sustainable management of natural • The 5 South Central Wales priority we are now, then to share knowledge and review land-based recreation activity in the (such as Natural England, Natural Resources Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management resources (SMNR) in Wales and to drive themes: Building Resilient Ecosystems, expertise and making recommendations Severn Estuary. Data have been collected Wales and the Environment Agency) and around Wales and its links to other policy forward a collaborative approach that Connecting People with Nature, for future improvements that benefit the on the intensity, frequency and location of covers the Severn Estuary coastline from areas, including well-being. engages action on the ground to address Working with Water, Improving our environment, people and places of Wales. various land-based activities taking place Lavernock Point up to Gloucester and back these. There are 6 regional Area Statements, Health and Improving our Air Quality; The SEP team and some of the SEP within and adjacent to the Severn Estuary. down to Anchor Head in North Somerset. and 1 marine. Despite Covid-19, work on the Area Management Group have also made • The 3 Welsh national Marine priority Some of the activities being reviewed The group is responsible for producing and Statements continues across Wales, and contributions towards the newly devised themes: Building Resilient Marine include bird watching, horse riding and dog maintaining the Severn Estuary Shoreline NRW are now working with partners to Geography programmes in the School, Ecosystems, Nature-based Solutions walking. This summary report and series of Management Plan and the associated Action deliver on our ambitious aims. including presentations on careers and data and Adaptation at the Coast, and GIS maps are likely to be consulted on later Plan. The group facilitates an exchange provision for undergraduate dissertations as Focusing in on the Severn Estuary, this Making the Most of Marine Planning this year. If you have information or data of information, knowledge, research and well as assistance with lecture presentations includes work on… that would be useful to inform this study, best practice between its members who all on specific topics related to coastal Please click here please contact the ASERA Officer. have interests in managing the flood and management. A number of SEP-related to read or provide feedback on each of the coastal erosion risks around the estuary and ASERA also remains engaged with a wide student placements over the last 18 months Area Statements. its interaction with the natural and built range of groups and projects focused on or so have provided invaluable additional environment. issues ranging from recreational fishing, support to SEP, assisting with e-news and coastal access and estuary awareness to Normally the group meets in person on website development amongst other things. invasive non-native species, marine litter a quarterly basis, but this has not been These placements provide invaluable and implementation of marine codes. possible due to the impacts of Covid-19. work experience for the students. We’ve The most recent ASERA AGM was held in Despite the challenges, all meetings have recently heard that one of our former work November 2020. At the AGM, Dr James been held and hosted on Zoom. Whilst experience students is now managing a Stewart was elected to Chair of the this restricts some activities such as site marine programme in St Helena and another Association and Management Group for meetings and incidental conversations it has been appointed in a very senior role in a term of one year. James is the Senior has proved very effective and has allowed the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Environment Officer at Devon and Severn members to attend with no lost time Local Government. Inshore Fisheries and Conservation travelling, reduced costs and a considerable Authority (D&S IFCA); D&S IFCA is a statutory reduction in the groups carbon footprint, so

Walking the Glamorgan Coast © Natural Resources Wales Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 8 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 9 Policy Updates Policy Updates South West Regional Coastal South West Marine Plan Monitoring Programme Sophie Kendall, South West Marine submitted to the Secretary of State for The development of these plans would Planner, Marine Management Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for not have been possible without the help Joseff Saunders, Coastal Process Team The aim of the Programme, is to provide The data feeds into a long term dataset Organisation of the wide range of people and Leader, Plymouth Coastal Observatory a standard, reliable and cost-effective showing changes to the beaches and The Marine Management organisations within the south west The South West Regional Coastal Monitoring method of monitoring coastal change on coastline of the South West and is primarily Organisation (MMO) has developed who have contributed extensive Programme (SWRCMP) is one of seven which behalf of the South West Coastal Groups used to inform beach management decisions the South West Marine Plans knowledge and expertise that encompass the entire coastline of England and in partnership with the Environment based on high quality scientific evidence. through a series of phases to which has fed into the marine planning and Wales and is run by Plymouth Coastal Agency and Local Authority councils. The All of the data collected by the Programme the Severn Estuary Partnership process. Coastal partnerships, such Observatory (PCO). The Defra funded Programme collects multiple types of is available, free-of-charge and is utilised (SEP) and other stakeholders in as SEP, have proved instrumental Programme, whose remit stretches around data, including topographic beach survey by numerous different organisations from the south west were integral. At in synthesising the enormous the coast from Portland Bill in Dorset to data, near-shore bathymetry, LiDAR, aerial consultants to interested individuals. PCO phase 1 in 2017, we explored amount of data and knowledge Beachley Point on the border with Wales photography and habitat mapping. The currently consist of a small team of seven causes and effects of identified into a range of clear and succinct (2,450 km), has been collecting, collating Programme also has a network of wave who are based at Plymouth University. For issues within the south west marine issues and opportunities, which the and managing coastal data since 2006. buoys and tide gauges around the South any more information and to access to our plan areas. At phase 2 we engaged MMO’s marine planners are able to West coast. free data, please visit our website stakeholders on the second outputs work with. We would like to thank

southwest.coastalmonitoring.org in 2018, which consider different everyone in the south west marine ways of achieving the high-level plan area for contributing to the marine objectives. This ensures development of the South West Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre the choices made, and their Marine Plans as this would not have implications, have been considered. been possible without you. Gwyn Nelson, Programme Manager, Wales survey specification was also introduced achieved funding approval prior to adoption. In preparation In 2019, for phase 3, we held workshops and For any queries including booking Coastal Monitoring Centre across Wales, which ensures data integrates for an additional for the adoption of the plans in 2021, conducted online engagement to gather implementation training for your The Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre with the English coastal monitoring network. 3 graduate we have been delivering marine plan feedback on draft policies before holding a organisation please contact: sophie. (WCMC) is a 100% Welsh Government placements, formal public consultation between January implementation training to decision makers The WCMC have now surveyed 791km of [email protected] or funded organisation tasked with surveying including collaborative projects with and April 2020. from February to April 2021. This will high-risk coastline in Wales, to the Mean [email protected] the coast to inform Flood and Coastal Aberystwyth and Bath University. ensure the marine plans are successfully Low Water Springs datum. The WCMC have The South West Marine Plans are currently Erosion Management Decisions. The implemented post-adoption. already achieved repeated surveys at active Our Primary School programme, developed being finalised and are close to being WCMC gained traction when two full time locations, with the aim of understanding under the new Welsh Curriculum 2022, staff were employed in 2019. Since then, seasonal and ultimately long-term beach includes 15+ virtual tours contributed from a risk score of the entire Welsh coastline intertidal evolution processes. multiple international Universities. was completed and a cost model applied Welsh National Marine Plan to determine which locations could be In the last year the WCMC have started an You can learn more on our new website at Rebecca Rees, Marine Planning Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) Framework monitored using the allocated budget. A undergraduate work placement scheme, and www.wcmc.wales. Engagement and Liaison Officer, Welsh which outlines the strategic approach Government to develop indicators for monitoring the In the year since the Welsh National Marine implementation of a plan-led system for Shoreline Management Plan Refresh Plan (WNMP) was launched, the Welsh Welsh waters. Since then, the team have Government’s Marine Planning team have been working to develop a suite of indicators John Buttivant, Coastal Engineer, the coastal groups in consistently updating will provide a consistent focussed on plan implementation. Despite for monitoring the implementation and Environment Agency and Severn Estuary the SMPs, as well as a health check of the approach to the entire the challenges faced in 2020, work has effects of the Plan. In December 2020, a Coastal Group Chair policies, with recommendations for areas Severn Estuary Coastal Group continued steadily to provide Relevant User Survey was launched seeking views of that may warrant further work in light of area, whether English or Welsh. The current second generation of the Public Authorities (RPA) and other plan users stakeholders on WNMP awareness and how the refreshed guidance and/or changing Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) was In order to support this, we hope to appoint with resources to help them implement the it has been used in the 12 months since it knowledge and understanding of the risks. produced around 10 years ago using the an SMP project officer to work with group Plan. In the Summer the Implementation was adopted. Participation in this survey was The health check has been provided to best data and knowledge that was available members and other stakeholders to update Guidance (IG) was published which guides voluntary and closed on 12 January 2021. the coastal group and this will form the at the time. The plan set out policies to the SMP and action plan, with any changes the practical application of the WNMP and is However, stakeholder views and experiences basis of the group’s work over the coming manage the coast in three-time epochs to the plan being subject to the scrutiny of a consideration for RPAs in taking decisions are important in order to help inform marine Stakeholder Reference Group (MPSRG) and year or two to target updating of the plan. over the next 100 years. The transition to the coastal group under the normal change which may affect the plan area. planning and the implementation of the Marine Planning Decision Maker’s Group The health check does not directly alter the second epoch policies is in 2025, now management procedures. WNMP. (MPDMG). only 4 years away. Although the SMP is still any policies, it simply provides a focus With face to face engagement on hold, Work is also progressing on the spatial The MPSRG has acted as a ‘critical friend’ considered sound and effective, with these for issues the group need to consider and The final phase of the refresh project five recorded webinars were produced to approach Welsh Government are taking throughout the marine planning process and factors in mind, it was considered timely responsibility for any changes remains with will deliver a new visualisation tool. This explain more about the Marine Planning to Marine Planning which includes further advises Welsh Government on approaches to refresh the SMP to take into account the group. will improve online access to the SMP, process and how to apply the WNMP. The development of the Marine Planning Portal, to marine planning. The MPDMG comprises the latest understanding of our complex In Wales, the refresh process started last allow updates and amendments to be team are also working with stakeholders on the Sustainable Management of Marine RPAs that have to use the WNMP in their coastline and the readiness for the transition Autumn. It has adopted a very similar shown and make the whole process a Marine Planning Governance document Natural Resources project, development decision making. Find out more about the to the next epoch policies. approach to the English refresh, although much more accessible and user friendly. that provides technical and plan guidance of Sector Locational Guidance (SLG) and Groups via the links above. To keep updated the technical notes will be reflecting the This is expected to go live in 2023 once information about sectors operating within In England the process was managed consideration of identification of Strategic on Marine Planning in Wales sign up to differing policy and funding framework that development has been completed and the the Welsh Marine Plan area. nationally by the Environment Agency on initial updates and improvements to the Resource Areas (SRAs) to apply WNMP our regular newsletter or if you have any exists in Wales. The finalised technical notes Progress has been made to monitor and behalf of all the coastal groups. It included plan from the health checks have been safeguarding policy. This work will continue further questions about the Welsh National and health check documents are expected report on the plan’s effectiveness. In a review of the guidance documents to incorporated. to be developed into 2021 with the key Marine Plan and wider work email the team: to be issued to the group this summer which January, Welsh Government published the produce technical notes that will guide stakeholder groups – Marine Planning [email protected] Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 10 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 11 SEP Projects SEP Projects Beach Cleans Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset Project Tackling beach litter is inevitably one of the first things that coastal residents and visitors want to address – particularly in response to the increased public awareness of the problem of marine plastic David Spray, SEP Student Assistant Working in close partnership with the pollution that was awakened following Sir David Attenborough’s landmark Blue Planet II series. coastal communities of the North Somerset Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset (LFCSS) Unsightly, dangerous and pervasive in nature, a two-part solution is needed to tackle beach litter: a coast, LFCSS continues to adapt and is an exciting community project, helping reduction at source and the physical removal of litter already polluting the coastline – much of which gets innovate into its fifth year of operation. people and businesses to make simple repeatedly washed ashore with each tide. Over the years, LFCSS have proudly worked with and supported LFCSS has cooperated with schools, decisions that will help their local seas, two incredibly active beach cleaning groups in Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow respectively and have businesses and communities to identify coasts, and shores. In 2015, the European purchased and installed a number of ever-popular ‘2 minute beach clean’ boards throughout the project area. and tackle sources of marine pollution, Bathing Water Directive was changed to This effort has notably reduced litter along the coastline. LFCSS have been able to secure funding for the groups creating engaging and effective campaigns improve bathing water quality around to support their activities and regularly join the beach cleans, speaking to volunteers about ways in which they can that encourage small changes to make big the UK resulting in a revised standard Emily Wordley, former reduce their own reliance on single use plastics – the same types that are often found on the beaches they clean. environmental differences. Whether it be for bathing water quality. These changes Project Officer, litter picking reducing single use plastics or responsible prompted a poor bathing water quality disposal of dog waste, LFCSS, and its Somerset classification at Burnham-on-Sea beach Don’t Feed the Locals Cigarette Butt campaigns, are drivers of meaningful on the Somerset coast. In response, School Coastal change that benefit the people and Launched in 2016, this campaign has Campaign Wessex Water, the Environment Agency, been one of LFCSS’s most notable Championship environment of the Somerset coast. According to Keep Britain and Sedgemoor District Council formed successes – now adopted by coastal Tidy, cigarette butts In addition to local a partnership with the Severn Estuary The future looks bright for the project with towns throughout the UK. Brilliantly Partnership and Cardiff University to fund are the most common form of litter in businesses, LFCSS have Current and Future LFCSS Project Sites a further 5 years of funding secured from simple in its messaging, the ‘Don’t England. The Ocean Conservancy have developed a similar programme for local the innovative Litter Free Coast and Sea Wessex Water and a range of ambitious feed the locals’ campaign implores people not to schools, working in partnership with project, coordinated by SEP, based on earlier projects in the pipeline. also revealed cigarette butts were the LFCSS aims to protect bathing water quality give food to seagulls, thus avoiding high numbers successes of the sister project in Dorset. As most commonly littered item collected Somerset Wildlife Trust and Carymoor and reduce beach and marine litter along Fact: Bathing water quality is a measure of of these mighty birds in coastal towns. Scavenging a result, Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset during their international ocean clean- Environmental Trust. The Coastal the Severn Estuary coastline by encouraging the amount of harmful bacteria in coastal sea birds can be dangerous as they home in on has been protecting our beaches and coasts up. Through the campaign, Litter Free Championship aims to engage school local communities to consider their own waters popular with bathers, paddlers, ice creams and chip-shop chips and other staples from litter and pollution since 2016. Coast and Sea Somerset are asking children with the ways that we can splashers and water-users! of the British coast. Not only are the gulls a impacts on water quality and marine litter. individuals to think about how they all protect our seas and coasts, whilst nuisance, but their poo is also known to contain dispose of their cigarette butts. The providing a framework for schools to high proportions of the harmful bacteria we need campaign aims to address the current follow and build on. As with the Business to avoid to maintain good bathing water quality. social norms of littering cigarette butts, Award Scheme, schools can achieve How the Business Award Scheme works Fewer birds mean less poo and better water quality whist promoting their responsible accreditation at a Ripple, Roller or - therefore, many coastal towns now display our Business Award Scheme disposal. Crest level, in addition to achievement colourful signage in support of this campaign. certificates and promotion through LFCSS. In 2018, the LFCSS Business Award Scheme was launched to address issues linked to local bathing water quality. The Business Award Poo Fighters is made up of three different levels – Ripple, Dog fouling is offensive in every sense of the word. It is unsightly, terribly Roller, Crest – and is designed to guide local annoying when caught on the bottom of ones’ shoes and, perhaps more businesses through a range of different actions importantly, a fineable action. Dog poo, like that of seagulls, contains to ultimately improve on-site sewage, drainage very high levels of harmful bacteria. When left on the side of roads and and waste policies. The team have been pathways, or indeed on the sandy shore, dog poo can alter local ecological working with businesses for the past two years balance and leach bacteria into the immediate environment. To tackle the - Don’t Poop and Run Stencil ©Emily Wordley on this scheme and is proud to see a number of issue and to support local Dog Wardens, LFCSS have worked with the local Volunteers with the stencil local participants reaching the highest level of community to establish a volunteer group of Poo Fighters who monitor © Emily Wordley the award now. areas of the town and coastline for persistent fouling; highlighting the issue through spray campaigns and working with vets and the wider public to draw Current and Future LFCSS Project Sites attention to- and clamp down on the issue. We have had fun running community dog walks, photo competitions and evening talks with local vets in dog friendly Project Timeline cafes and hope to see more of this in the future. - Volunteers spraying © Emily Wordley What next for Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset? SEP is enormously proud of the success of Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset since its inception just five short years ago and warmly thank all those who continue to support us in the community - that is what the project is all about! We have built up a substantial following throughout the community and online through our dedicated social media channels and we are currently updating our website to include more of our exciting campaign materials and project successes.

Looking forward, we are thrilled to have been selected by Wessex Water to continue delivering on-the-ground community outreach and engagement work through the Litter Free Coast and Sea model in an additional eight bathing waters across the Somerset coastline over the next five years. We have developed a range of new campaign materials and have begun building links with local communities in these new areas – ensuring that all campaigns are locally appropriate and can be delivered by community stakeholders.

If you or anyone you know would like to get involved in the project, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected]. Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 12 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 13 SEP Projects SEP Projects Discover the Severn Project Severn Estuary Nature Sessions Activity Packs As part of Discover the Severn, we also ran 12 The Discover the Severn activity packs were designed to help connect local communities By David Spray, SEP Student Assistant nature sessions. By bringing the local rocky to the Severn Estuary, increasing stewardship and engagement with the unique wildlife and shore to events, local communities were plant life, heritage and landscape of the estuary. All potential activities were trialled by Focusing on communities in South-East Wales, the Discover the Severn project delivered innovative, inclusive, and provided with the opportunity to explore the local target communities, informed by early consultation with key groups at each site. enjoyable ways for people and their families to learn more about the value of the Severn Estuary and how to care for it. this environment and discover up-close the There were a wide range of activities developed with the aim of engaging a diverse range of The project aimed to empower local communities with the knowledge and skills to help them protect, respect and enjoy different plants that live in the rockpools future estuary stakeholders to create cohesive community ownership of the Severn Estuary’s their local coastal environment, whilst providing direct benefits for physical and mental health and well-being. Discover around the Severn Estuary. People were able natural resource. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we have not been able to deliver the final the Severn focused on delivering fun and inclusive ways for local communities to learn more about the special heritage, to touch and feel samples and specimens, activity packs to the communities, but, as restrictions begin to lift, we are looking forward to wildlife and ecosystems of the estuary through a range of interactive engagement activities and outreach materials. The complimented by child friendly games and dropping them off in time for people to start using them over the summer months! project has passed on the knowledge, skills and tools to help communities protect and respect their local environment for challenges. Coastal Geocaching routes – Geocaching is an outdoor activity where people use Global our future generations. Events Positioning System (GPS), such as the ones found in most smart phones to seek small objects The 18-month project was run by the Severn and containers called geocaches. Several geocaches were set up by SEP in each study site. Estuary Partnership between July 2018 and Several key engagement events were Each geocache includes information about the project, ‘fun facts’ about the estuary, marine- December 2019 and was kindly supported undertaken during the Discover the themed swags (tradeable items), Good Practice Guidelines and details about the Activity through funding from Natural Resources Severn Project, on a variety of scales Packs. Due to Covid-19 restrictions these are out of action at the moment, but, as restrictions Wales (NRW). The project was aligned covering a range of different topics. The begin to lift, they will be up and running again! aim of all the events during the project with the NRW Top Level Challenge to help Litter bingo & marine litter quiz – Community clean ups and litter was to engage with local communities people to live healthier and more fulfilled picking events are highly topical and increasingly popular in the UK. through fun activities that highlighted all lives through improved access to the Litter picking is a fun activity for all ages and can be a great family that the Estuary has to offer and overall outdoors for health and wellbeing. activity. To keep younger pickers entertained, we developed a Litter enhanced individuals’ connection with Bingo game and quiz that can be played during clean up events. Approach the estuary environment. Welsh language coastal scavenger hunt Discover the Severn photography challenge – Launched at Discover the Severn focused on three the Discover the Severn Day in Barry, the competition invited specific communities: Castleland in Barry, Severn Estuary Big Beach Clean community members to ‘Discover the Severn’ through the medium Grangetown in Cardiff and Pillgwenlly in 2018 marked the first Severn Estuary of photography. Using local clues and locally-set challenges that Newport. Through an initial review, we Big Beach Clean, attracting over 1000 link communities to the coastline, this photography competition was investigated what barriers exist in these Map of Discover the Severn project communities participants to clean Severn Estuary designed to get residents outdoors, exploring the environments and nature on their own areas that limit access to the Severn beaches of litter over the course of a doorstep and looking for innovative ways to capture everyday scenes. Estuary and identified a range of driving Success weekend. A second Big Beach Clean characteristics between the different Coastal scavenger hunt – This was developed for families with young children in mind. A event was also held in 2019, with communities. This review allowed SEP to The project has successfully provided a series of nature-based ‘treasures’ have been listed with tick boxes on fun colourful posters. outreach stands also set up within the tailor a range of events, and subsequent legacy of resources and opportunities to Families can walk around their local community to find each of the ‘treasures’. This aims to three target communities. During these activity packs for each community, help coastal communities connect with encourage nature-based learning through physical activity on the coast. the Severn Estuary whilst identifying the events, the SEP team spoke to residents School children enjoying the Nature Session increasing community engagement Fitness scavenger hunt – The fitness scavenger hunt has barriers that currently stand in the way. about marine litter, to find out how they © Severn Estuary Partnership and connection with the Estuary on our been designed to get communities moving, stretching, The project identified time and access as felt about the Severn Estuary and to doorsteps. jumping and bending along the way. It incorporates lots the two primary factors limiting community assess the wellbeing impacts of beach of different aspects of nature, heritage and estuary facts A programme of engagement events, engagement with the estuary, but still found cleaning within each community. and takes players on a local route designed to foster a including interactive stalls at local events, that over three quarters of participants felt connection with the estuary. presentations, and activities such as that the Severn Estuary was part of their scavenger hunts and beach cleans were identity. Responding to this, Discover the Call of the Severn –Through an organic and iterative organised in various locations across the Severn successfully improved awareness process, a team of writers collaboratively produced a story target community areas. Working closely of access opportunities whilst creating and about the Severn, highlighting local nature and history with the communities, SEP produced a range highlighting fun activities to further foster to promote a sense of well-being and belonging. A local of activity packs and training guides to allow a connection with the estuary. In the long musician donated music to accompany the audio book and different communities and individuals to term, the project has produced community a local acoustic engineer has recorded the story binaurally connect with the Severn Estuary, whether initiatives and events that will continue to and interspersed ‘environmental sounds’ to augment the that be for health, wellbeing or engaging run (The Big Severn Estuary Beach Clean and story telling. Have a listen here. with the landscapes and wildlife of the Severn Estuary Recreational User Forum for Discover the Severn film – a short, uplifting, promotional film aimed to inspire local Severn estuary. The packs have been developed example), providing continued ownership for Estuary communities to connect with their local coastal environment. This has been released in different mediums to encourage the targeted communities in years to come. on SEP social media for all to view and you can view it here. communities to rediscover their connection Overall, the project raised awareness of the with the estuary in the ways that best suit benefits and fostered a confidence in using them. and enjoying all that the Severn Estuary has to offer.

Grangetown Team during the Severn Estuary Big Beach Clean © Keep Grangetown Tidy

Read all about the project on our website here. The Severn Estuary Forum Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 14 and Severn Wonders Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 15 SEP Projects festival 2006 ©Severn Estuary Partnership Celebrating 25 Years of SEP Celebrate the Severn Event Discover the Severn Day To celebrate the success of the project, Lucy Taylor, SEP Partnership The Discover the Severn Day was an interactive event designed 25 Years of the Severn Estuary Manager at the time and Katie Havard-Smith, SEP Project Officer to demonstrate and promote the key recreational activities that invited all those who had participated in the project to the Celebrate the estuary has to offer! The SEP team invited individuals to Partnership the Severn event, held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay litter pick on Barry seafront, chat about their connection with in December 2019. Katie and Lucy thanked all those who had the estuary and any barriers they find prevent them from visiting To celebrate our 25th year at SEP, we asked some of our past SEP chairs, participated, disseminated final engagement materials and used the often. In addition to members of the community, other key local event as a final opportunity to showcase all that the Severn Estuary stakeholders were invited to showcase local projects to get managers and members for a couple of lines about SEP over the years. has to offer for local communities. Event highlights included our involved with, including Cardiff Harbour Authority, the Flat Holm so that an on-going co-operative approach Estuary was a wonderful place to learn my photography competition gallery, a showing of the Call of the Severn Society, The National Coast Watch Institution, the Living Levels “I’ve worked with SEP for almost its entire life. was always going to be needed to ensure that trade in coastal management. To this day I and the Discover the Severn Film. Landscape Partnership and the RSPB. “ There have been many changes, though a initiatives and developments followed its believe that people are central to the success constant throughout has been the remarkably strategic management framework, a continuing and sustainability of the estuary and integrated high level of commitment and professionalism challenge for the Partnership.” consensus management where possible is shown by all those involved. There have been George Ashworth, former SEP Chair key. The Severn Estuary Partnership has, and countless challenges that have tested the and Monmouthshire County Council continues to play a pivotal role in this, from Partnership, especially during periods of limited representative. bringing together stakeholders, learning from resources, but the delivery of high-quality others and developing a cross border strategy products and the provision of a platform to give and the state of the estuary report both of the Estuary a voice has continued unbroken; “I wasn’t the first Chair but I was the South which have helped to shape national policy and long may it continue; congratulations “Gloucestershire representatives at the time and the health of the Severn Estuary. I am SEP. I must also thank Cardiff University for its of SEP’s inception. We had for some time confident that SEP can continue to thrive for longstanding support, specifically the guidance been attending a number of different Severn another 25 years and beyond, promoting the of Dr Rhoda Ballinger.” organisations which overlapped in their remits wealth of our shared unique resource. Through Rhys Morgan, former SEP Management and we kept on meeting the very same people the work of SEP, the estuary we all know and Group member and NRW representative. at the various meetings. So it was sensible love will continue to be in safe hands and to bring all the bodies together into one future generations encouraged to engage in its umbrella organisation, saving everyone time “I joined the Partnership team two years after strategic management. I firmly believe, because and expense. The Partnership shifted up a gear Listening to the Call of the Severn at the Celebrate the Severn event The SEP Team at the Discover the Severn Day in Barry its inception in 1995. In those early years, SEP of SEP more and more people are falling in when Cardiff University agreed to be its host © Katie Havard-Smith © Severn Estuary Partnership “successfully developed its role in providing love with our wonderful estuary and “if they and provided office space, especially as the a coordinated approach to the management are aware, they will care”! Thank you SEP, keep work fitted so well with the scope of the Earth of the estuary. It did this by bringing together up the good work and here’s to a sustainable Sciences Faculty, and for us there was regular Discover the Severn guides the multiplicity of agencies who each had future.” input from students enthusiastic about their specialist responsibilities, such as ASERA, Paul Parker, former SEP Manager. As part of the project, Discover the Severn produced four guides to showcase the Severn Estuary, covering four different topics. These go subject. hand in hand with our Explore the Severn guide! Flip to the back page of the magazine to view the guides and get in touch if you would the Association of Authorities looking after the European designated Marine Site, and like a hard copy! We took on an international flavour by being “Wow – 25 incredible years! You don’t have to the Standing Environment Group dealing active members of Les Esturiales, which, look far to uncover the key role SEP has played with Marine Pollution Incidents in the Bristol “ then Chair of SEP, I was most honoured to be in the management of the Severn Estuary Channel. The Partnership began hosting made President of. That connection meant during that time; from on the ground local Estuary-wide Forums, providing common travel across to Lisbon, Cork, Bordeaux and community engagement projects to developing Discover the Severn secretariat services for all the agencies, Szczecin (Stettin, Poland), which I felt was very an estuary wide Strategy, influencing national promoting information sharing and awareness Access Maps worthwhile in playing our part for the estuaries policy, and sharing best practice across Europe. raising, and in 2001 published the Strategy of Europe. Inspiring people to work together for the future Consultation in the early stages for the Severn Estuary. This was a milestone of the estuary is what the Partnership is all of the project identified that document setting out the way in which I do hope that, despite potential challenges, about, and its unique position continues to access to the coast was one of sustainable management of the Estuary could SEP will still maintain its overseas links, as strengthen as it supports stakeholders working the major barriers standing in the be achieved in terms of social, economic and those links have proved invaluable.” together to build a future that is vibrant, environmental interests. To achieve such an Peter Tyzack, former SEP Chair and South way of community engagement dynamic and resilient in a changing climate. It Estuary-wide approach endorsed by over 130 Gloucestershire Council representative. with the Severn Estuary. To has been so rewarding and enjoyable to have organisations representing cities and county address this, a series of access “With an array of protected sites, unique been a part of the SEP team, and I look forward councils, universities, government agencies, maps were developed to habitats, the highest tidal range in Europe, to seeing what comes next for the Partnership!” port authorities and major industries amongst “ encourage people to get out onto multiple political and managerial boundaries Lucy Taylor, former SEP Manager. others was a major step forward. It has to be the Estuary! The maps provide and a whole host of uses and users, the Severn recognised that the Strategy was non-statutory information about how to reach the coastline from your local community, whether that be on foot, by bike, train or bus. They show places to visit and whether The Joint Issues they are free, wheelchair friendly, Report produced dog friendly, if there is parking by SEP – May and so much more! 1997

The Severn Estuary Strategy Workshop, Bristol 2015 The SEP Team in 2009 © Severn Estuary Partnership © Severn Estuary Partnership

Read all about the project on our website here. The SEP Team would like to thank all who have been involved with the Partnership over the last 25 years, including our supportive members, and look forward to working for the future of the estuary with diverse estuary stakeholders for the next 25 years and beyond. Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 16 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 17

Celebrating 25 Years of SEP Thev Severn Estuary Lydney Harbour Harbwr Lydney

Gloucester Docks Mor Hafren Dociau Caerloyw

Purton Hulks Lydney Gwent Levels Severn Bore Morfa Gwent Eger Hafren Sharpness Newport Transporter Bridge Newport Wetlands Lave Net Fisherman Pont Gludo Casnewydd Corsydd Casnewydd Pysgotwyr Rhwydi Lampo

Slimbridge Severn Crossing Pont Hafren Newport Casnewydd Prince of Wales Bridge Pont Tywysog Cymru Wildlife of the Severn Estuary Cardiff Cardiff Bay Bristol Caerdydd Bae Caerdydd Avonmouth Cyflwyniad i’r Canllaw Ffawna

Barry Island Ynys y Barri Clevedon Pier Flat Holm Pier Clevedon Ynys Echni

Steep Holm Ynys Rhonech Weston Super Mare

Brean Down Teal Minehead Corhwyaid Curlew Gylfinir

Shelduck Dunster Hwyaid yr eithin Avocet Cambigau Watchet Burnham on Sea

Dunlin Pibyddion y mawn Honeycombe worm Llyngyren ddiliau

To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we commissioned this incredible illustrated map of the Severn Estuary created by Bev Lewis. It highlights all the unique elements of the estuary which make up such a diverse and special landscape. Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 18

the partnerships founding, with scientists Human Development and The State of the Severn continuing to deliberate over the reason for Activities the population decrease. However, there are indications that the total European The people that inhabit and use the Estuary – 1995 and now population is increasing once again. Despite Severn Estuary form a crucial element the lower returning numbers of Bewick’s of the estuary’s environment, in addition Severn Estuary, fed by some of the United Species swan, the estuary still hosts over 70,000 to the habitats and species it supports. Kingdom’s most important rivers and shaped The diverse range of habitats in the Severn estimated migratory birds every winter, Since 1995, the population around the by the third largest tidal range in the world. Estuary support uniquely diverse life, both with many more calling the estuary their Severn Estuary has grown to well over 1.5 Since 1995, the tides may not have changed The Severn Bore in the 1990’s above and below the waves. The birdlife that permanent home. million, an increase of over 200,000 in 25 but the life that depends on them has. Clean up on the beach © Severn Estuary Partnership the Severn Estuary is famous for continue to years. Many of the estuary’s population Below the surface, over 300 fish species © Severn Estuary Partnership visit and thrive on both sides of the water. live in low lying, coastal urban areas with Habitats are to be found within the Severn Estuary, histories and heritage rooted in shipping, including protected and rare species such The Severn Estuary has an industry and trade. Many of these as the allis and twaite shad, and European exceptionally large freshwater founding purposes persist to the current Eel. In alignment with global catchment, covering over 21,000 over 800 hectares of saltmarsh, reed beds, David Spray, SEP student assistant trends, the number of migratory square kilometres and home to saline lagoons and other important habitats fish that call the estuary home have Promoting sustainable development of over 600 watercourses. The rivers for native and migrating birds. The creation declined significantly in the last the Severn Estuary is a central aim of that feed the estuary have changed of important habitat within the Severn century. Despite this, the estuary the Severn Estuary Partnership, allowing significantly since the partnership’s Estuary has not stopped there, with the and its tributaries remain a key communities and individuals to benefit from founding; in the 1990’s, the development of the Wildfowl and Wetlands habitat for nationally important the resources that the estuary has to offer, primary issues facing the estuary’s Trust’s working wetland at Steart Marshes populations of shad, eel and whilst conserving the unique environment rivers were a legacy of mining, between 2011 and 2014. Looking to the salmon. Since the founding of for future generations. Since the founding chemical pollution and barriers future, further development of saltmarsh SEP, a number of organisations, of SEP in 1995, the estuary, its communities to fish migration. Today nutrient and wetlands is planned as a condition projects and initiatives reversed and how it is used has changed dramatically pollution, and the algal blooms it for the development of a new deep sea these declines. Improving river Severn Estuary © Severn Estuary Partnership in some areas, with others remaining almost causes, present a new challenge for container terminal at Bristol Port. All of water quality, creating spawning the same as they have been for hundreds environmental decision makers and Bewicks Swan © Neville these projects encapsulate the sustainable Davies @Ecology_Cymru habitat, increasing fish access and river of years. The state of the Severn Estuary users. day, and the Severn Estuary is a unique approach to development that has been is governed by the physical and natural connectivity, and implementing wide resource, attracting millions of visitors embraced within the Severn Estuary, The Severn Estuary is dominated reaching international legislation, it is a year, maintaining traditional fishing protecting the habitats that make the environments, the people that call the Bewicks Swan © Neville by its intertidal and coastal hoped that these key migratory species will estuary home and that ways in which we all Davies @Ecology_Cymru practices and providing a site for nationally estuary so special. use the estuary. Effective management of habitats, which are of international continue to survive and thrive in the Severn important civil development. importance. Reflecting the unique Estuary. Looking to the future, the Blue this fantastic cultural, environmental, and Tourism nature of the estuary, a range of protections Marine Foundation has indicated that the economic resource relies on these three The curlew and Bewick’s swan populations Development and designations have been assigned to River Severn and Severn Estuary may play Tourism and recreation are increasingly facets aligning to ensure ongoing health and within the estuary are globally important, protect these habitats and species. Even an important role in the reintroduction of Since 1990, large scale development has important in both the Severn Estuary and prosperity of our estuary. the latter attracting bird enthusiasts before SEP was established, sections of sturgeon to the UK, seeing these fish that taken place across the estuary, both to the UK as a whole. Tourism in England and from around the country. Bewick’s swan change the coastal environment for the Wales contributes over £110 billion to the The Physical & Natural the estuary had been classified as Sites of can reach over 400 pounds in weight, swim populations have declined significantly since benefit of people, but also to preserve and Environment Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s). However, in our rivers once more. the majority of protections and designations create key habitat sites. The Cardiff Bay Invasive species negatively impact the have come within the partnership’s lifetime. barrage construction is considered by many environment around them and once In 1995, the estuary became both a Ramsar to be the most significant infrastructure established are exceptionally difficult to and a Special Protection Area (SPA) on project to have occurred within the Severn remove. Several invasive species are found the basis of the globally and nationally Estuary in the last 30 years. Completed in around the Severn Estuary, both on land important bird populations that call the 1999, the barrage changed large areas of and below water. Although some species estuary home, while in 2009, the estuary mudflat and bird habitat into a freshwater such as mink are widespread and have been gained Special Area of Conservation (SAC) lake. As compensation for the development, established since the 1950’s, more recent status, classified based on the estuary’s Newport wetlands was created, covering developments in the Severn Estuary have saltmarshes, mudflats, sandbanks and facilitated the introduction of non- honeycomb worm reefs (sabellaria Gloucester Docks © Severn Estuary Partnership native species. Cardiff Bay hosts alveolata). Sheltering birds on the Estuary two freshwater invasive species, UK economy annually and supports over 2 ©Severn Estuary Partnership the zebra mussel and so-called million jobs. Some tourist attractions in the killer shrimp; both assumed to estuary, such as the Severn Bore, have been have originated from leisure craft attracting visitors for generations, whilst Countryside surrounding the in the early 2000s. These species redevelopment of coastal waterfronts in Severn Estuary in the 1990’s © cannot be removed now that they Cardiff Bay and Portishead have boosted Severn Estuary Partnership are established, so effort has been visitor numbers since the 1990s. The unique focused on reducing the spread of environment of the Severn Estuary is a these species to new sites. The Severn Estuary is home to significant draw to tourists domestically and a truly unique range of habitats abroad, improving the environment through which globally important flora the responsible disposal of litter and the and fauna call home. Water A view of the Severn Estuary in the Shelduck on the Estuary improvement of water quality has been a Dredging in the Severn Estuary 1990’s © Severn Estuary Partnership ©Severn Estuary Partnership is the defining feature of the © Severn Estuary Partnership key focus for project throughout the Severn, The State of the Severn Estuary – Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 20 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 21 1995 and now cont. Blue Space and Wellbeing Fisheries Management of the Estuary Bring your beach home – The Severn Estuary is home to a unique Management of the Severn Estuary occurs in assemblage of fish species and historically a number of different ways and is delivered Litter Free Coast and has been home to a wide range of by several local authorities and other commercial and recreational fisheries, some relevant organisations across the estuary. of which continue to this day. Across the estuary, marine and terrestrial Sea Somerset campaign planning processes ensure that sustainable Up until the early 2000s, commercial fishing Don Harty, Litter Free Coast and Sea connection to nature caused as a result of development occurs, particularly important for both marine and migratory species was Somerset Research and Engagement these restrictions, Litter Free Coast and Sea whilst managing a cross-border site with undertaken in the estuary. Salmon fishing Student Assistant Somerset led a social media campaign to many protected areas and designations. was undertaken using traditional methods, encourage people to #BringTheBeachHome. Developments and changes in the way Nature is incredibly important to our utilising putchers (fixed baskets) or draft This was run in partnership with Litter Photo by Jonathon Philpott (@I_am_Rev_JP) that the estuary is managed are ongoing, physical and mental health. Being nets, secured to the mud and emptied when Free Coast and Sea Dorset and Leave Only for example, the second generation of surrounded and immersed in the natural Barry Island in the Summer the tide recedes. Fixed net and putcher Footprints. The campaign aimed to bring and were impressed with the creations of Shoreline Management Plans aim to manage environments found along the beautiful © Severn Estuary Partnership based salmon fishing no longer operate activities that people would normally do the public. the impact of sea level rise and coastal Severn Estuary relaxes and de-stresses our as part of conservation efforts for Atlantic on the beach into their homes, to entertain erosion, whist new river basin management minds. Physically being able to walk, run, The campaign was an overarching success, particularly from the Litter Free Coast salmon in the estuary. Lave fishermen people both physically and mentally, while plans drive to improve water quality in the swim, surf and sail in a clean environment with high levels of engagement throughout. and Sea Somerset team who have worked continue to capture salmon as a historic, keeping both adults and children connected rivers that feed the estuary. The Severn reinvigorates our bodies and releases This showed people were enjoying the tirelessly since 2016 to improve the status of artisanal fishery, continuing to use a method to the environment. Estuary Partnership continues to facilitate positive hormones. Beach days offer activities, thanks to the inclusive design Severn Estuary bathing waters and to reduce that has been in practice for centuries but a collaborative approach to estuary all of these benefits in one place - from Activities such as planning at home picnics of the activities which were planned to be the impact of litter in the environment. currently operate on a catch and release management, helping estuary stakeholders running, jumping and swimming and, most with ocean sounds, beach themed workouts, fun, educational and beneficial for families basis. Commercial marine fisheries continue to enjoy and develop the Severn Estuary in a importantly, ice cream eating! photography competitions and quizzes were to enjoy together. The response from the to operate in the estuary but continues at sustainable manner both now and for years created by the team with the community was very positive and some of a low intensity, focused primarily on the In March 2020, to come. whole family in mind. The most the photos received were brilliant. western limits of the estuary, in the Bristol Covid-19 brought many popular activity was a toilet Channel and out into the Celtic Sea. of these activities to Posting interesting and fun activities for roll arts and crafts activity an end as lockdowns people to do meant that people remained which reached over 1,400 were imposed, limiting engaged with key Severn Estuary Partnership people! The Severn Estuary travel and activities. messages such as not littering, even when Partnership team all created they were not in the area. Hopefully, the In response to the their own arts and crafts which many other benefits that people enjoy at the lack of physical were showcased on the post beach were brought into their homes as well! Toilet Roll Crafts © Sam Williams Litter Picking Word Cloud Litter Picking and Wellbeing

Sam Williams, former SEP placement the study showed that 75% of individual’s student agreed that they felt a sense of achievement Following the success of the first event through taking part, 65% agreed that in 2018, the Severn Estuary Big Beach they formed new connections within their Clean 2019 saw the return of a weekend community, and 76% agreed that taking part of organized beach cleaning and litter had made them feel less stressed and more picking throughout 20 locations around relaxed. By offering optional engagement the Severn Estuary. The weekend joined materials and learning resources during a together volunteers from Keep Wales selection of the litter picks, volunteers Tidy, the Environment Agency, the Marine could learn more about the threats Conservation Society, Natural Resources faced by their local environment Wales, and the wider community in locations including the prolific problem that is stretching from Penarth Beach in Wales plastic pollution in the Severn Estuary, to Minehead in England. With over 1000 encouraging them to then change volunteers taking part, the event allowed behaviors towards waste and litter in a unique opportunity to investigate how their everyday lives. The overwhelming taking part in beach cleans and litter results of the study support calls for picks in green and blue spaces could have the natural environment to be used an impact on personal and community as a ’blue prescription’ for mental well-being. Volunteers had the option health problems such as depression, to complete a well-being questionnaire anxiety, and stress, as well as allowing following each litter pick, giving an insight communities to take ownership of into any potential impacts on the volunteers their local environment, form new Barry Island Stand-Up Paddleboarding Group with the physical and mental well-being. Results from relationships, and reduce social SEP Team during the Severn Estuary Big Beach Clean isolation in vulnerable populations. © Barry Island SUP View of the Estuary from Bristol Port © Katie Havard-Smith Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 22 Estuary Project Updates Estuary Project Updates Adapting the Levels From the Forest to the Sea - ‘Working together now to adapt naturally to the climate of the future.’ 200 years at Lydney Harbour

Sally Easton, Somerset Wildlife Trust that these options need to be a major part of Rose Farrington, Community Projects and Docks and the wider area. the solution. Leader Forest of Dean District Council The Somerset Levels are on the UK’s The project will create safe, attractive frontline of climate change, facing increased There was wide recognition that local Lydney Harbour is situated on the Severn transport routes into the harbour and the risks from sea-level rise, river flooding and farmers are key to the success of nature- Estuary in the county of Gloucestershire. area will be developed as a recreation and drought. Recognising these threats Somerset based solutions, and the community were Lydney Pill, and later, Lydney Harbour tourism destination. As part of the project County Council, Somerset Wildlife Trust supportive of new subsidy schemes to fund provided the Forest of Dean’s principal sea activity, two existing buildings have already & FWAG SouthWest formed a partnership NBS. link for the export of coal, timber and iron been converted into accessible toilets and installed. Improvements will be made to project; Adapting the Levels. This is also part ore. The industrial remains of the docks and a visitor information hub. The info hub will cycle, walking, and highway routes with the of a larger EU Climate Adaptation project “Floodwater storage on agriculture harbour that visitors see today were built in display creative heritage interpretation, installation of a footway, street lighting, called Co-Adapt, where 12 partners from 4 land/payment for landowners.” the 19th Century and were operational up including audio recorded as part of the and the resurfacing of Harbour Road. Also, countries work together, sharing knowledge until the 1970s. project. A new modular café building will underway is a community rowing boat and developing best practice. Calls for more education and wider be installed in the summer, serving light In 2019 the Lydney Coastal Community Team building project called Lydney Skiff, which engagement formed the basis of the projects refreshments to visitors. The project encourages the use of nature- received £2.1 million for the regeneration will bring lost craft skills back to Lydney. next steps, with two technological solutions based solutions to flooding and drought, of Lydney Harbour. With this funding, the Improved heritage interpretation, a public in development: The work has already begun at Lydney offering advice and funding to farmers/ Destination Lydney Harbour (DLH) project art installation and arts-based walking Harbour and is due to continue throughout landowners and communities. The team The first is an online tool that allows aims to attract increased visitor numbers to trail projects are all in development and 2021. also develop Adaptation Pathways, a new the team to publish the adaptation discover the hidden gem of Lydney Harbour mooring points and further seating will be ‘climate-smart’ approach to planning that pathways in an editable form; allowing links actions to environmental change rather people to vote or adjust options, than time. This approach is fast becoming add new ideas and comment on the the global ‘Gold Standard for climate pathways. This encourages input from adaptation planning. community level right up to local decision-makers and infrastructure Following a series of successful events the experts, making the resulting pathways team published an illustrated Report and an valuable resource. summary Leaflet in December 2020, both are available at www.adaptingthelevels.co.uk. The team are also working on a Celebrating the glorious Gwent Levels! mobile app called Somerset Trails, this The report found that communities on the geo-location app takes the user on a Gavin Jones, Community Engagement continues to deliver exciting projects across pollarded, with plans to create meadows Somerset Levels are united in their desire Officer, Living Levels Landscape real-world journey, bringing theory to a range of subjects and three key themes, and pollinator corridors. for increased action on climate adaptation. Partnership life in videos that relate the surrounding helping to recapture, enhance and celebrate There was overwhelming support for the The opportunity for ‘Learning and Engaging’, landscape, to climate change and the unique heritage of the Levels. wider adoption of nature-based solutions ©Kate Rodgers is made possible through a range of learning nature-based solutions to flooding and to flooding and drought, with 93% of Under our theme of ‘Understanding and resources and projects for both schools and drought. The app will be available on respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing appreciating’, the people who shaped the colleges. Volunteers in both the recording Android and iPhone from summer 2021. landscape are celebrated in a series of of stories and archival research, are helping sculptures along our shoreline, including to recapture the Levels’ historical landscape ‘The Brinker’, at Magor Marsh Nature through documentation and social history. Reserve plus ‘The Fisherman’ and ‘The Our programme of activities has successfully Engineer’ at Black Rock transitioned online, covering Picnic Site. A programme of such diverse subjects as poetry, walking and cycling routes, pylons and obviously, the 1607 improved visitor gateways, ‘Great Flood’, even spawning a animated reconstructions and Levels creative writing group. an ‘Ambassador’ programme, This online presence, alongside will be encouraging visitors to a fantastic website, is arguably ‘Discover Gwent Levels’! increasing our reach as a The Living programme. ©Chris Harris Levels ‘Conserving and Restoring’ our natural Landscape heritage restores old orchards and creates The partnership is now looking Partnership is a National Lottery Heritage new ones with the help of volunteers, but to its legacy, not just maintaining Funded programme for the Gwent Levels, a also DNA tests to discover old local Levels’ the benefits of the project but varieties. The restoration of overgrown and also reinforcing and enhancing

very special landscape in south east Wales, ©Chris Harris stretching from the edge of Chepstow to neglected field ditches and re-introducing the identity of the Gwent Levels. east Cardiff via Newport. The 12 partners, the practice of willow pollarding, is helping We would love to hear your headed up by RSPB Cymru, are working to restore the landscape’s traditional views and our survey is still open. character and improve biodiversity. To date towards a sustainable future for this unique Discover more about the Living Levels 21km of field ditches have been restored to Funded by: stretch of the Severn Estuary coastline. Programme and the Gwent Levels – visit our favourable condition and over 150 willows Despite recent challenges, the programme website www.livinglevels.org.uk © Natural England Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 24 Estuary Project Updates Recreation on the Severn The Newport Transporter Bridge – The England Coast Path – an unmissable landmark! opening soon!

Emma Newrick, Project Officer, Newport A new three-storey visitor The site will remain Tim Hall, Wessex Seas Team Leader, interpretation that will be used at certain Transporter Bridge centre will be built with a café, closed until Spring Natural England locations. shop, community space and a 2023 but there will be The Newport Transporter Bridge is more Work is progressing at pace on the sections dedicated gallery will bring the plenty of opportunities to Further grants will be awarded soon than a landmark dominating the city’s of path along the Severn Estuary from Aust history of the bridge to life. The get involved through joining for other approved sections of the trail skyline. It is the world’s most complete, to Brean Down now approved (in part) by gallery will feature the stories the residents panel, sharing including a specially designed disabled surviving transporter bridge. Following the Secretary of State. Two sections, one at of those who built the bridge, memories and photographs, becoming access ramp near the Seabank Power funding from the National Lottery Heritage the beginning of the stretch and another at designed the bridge and used the a volunteer or a Friend of the Newport Station in South Gloucestershire. This will Fund and Welsh Government the bridge will Woodspring Bay received objections and bridge. Transporter Bridge. For a behind the scenes create a long stretch accessible by buggies. undergo extensive restoration including now sits with the Planning Inspectorate for look at the work on site, interviews with work to the main boom, eastern approach There will also be more car parking determination. On the already open Somerset Coast engineers, architects and conservators and viaduct, replacing a number of suspension spaces for visitors and an exciting Path stretch between Brean Down and the history behind this rare icon subscribe to Initial scrub clearance work has been cables and restoring lost architectural activities programme including theatrical Minehead a very exciting initiative was the Bridge’s YouTube channel or follow on completed by Bristol City Council north of features of the gondola. performances, art workshops and recently launched by Somerset County social media @NpTBridge Twitter/Facebook Avonmouth. Further south North Somerset mindfulness sessions. Council to enable walkers to hear about and @Nptbridge1906 Instagram Council have recently been awarded a the local history and customs where they In collaboration with the Our Living Levels grant through the RDPE programme of are walking using a phone app. Click here project, the Severn Estuary Partnership, £72,000 for a range of infrastructure works for more. Natural Resources Wales and the Wales including waymarking and gates between Coastal Path, visitors will discover more the National Trust site at Middle Hope Click here, for updates on the about the wider natural environment through to the border with Somerset at the development of the coast path throughout and improvements will be made to the River Axe. We are also working with North the whole of England. immediate landscape with outdoor seating, Somerset CC on designs for environmental

walking trails and viewing platforms. © Natural England Gondola – (©Ross Owen) Exhibition Area

The Severn Estuary Good Practice Guidelines – New Update Unlocking the Severn Project Update

By Jennie Hermolle, Communications and Marketing Officer the sea every spring to spawn. Keeping our Spectacular Severn Special We are restoring access to shad’s The 2021 shad run is a key milestone for By Katie Havard-Smith, ASERA Officer drones in and around the European Marine recreational activities, so your actions can historic spawning grounds upriver Unlocking the Severn. For the first time in Site. The guidelines now include up to date really make a difference to the future of the via four fish passes past River The Association of Severn Estuary Relevant more than 170 years, twaite shad will be information on using drones in and around estuary! Severn weirs built for navigation Authorities (ASERA) is pleased to be able to easily pass two weirs on the River the European Marine Site. purposes in the 1840’s. Beyond the launching the updated Good Practice The purpose of these guidelines is to Severn near Worcester. The shad can now Diglis Pass, is the Bevere bypass channel, Guidelines for the Severn Estuary European Our estuary supports nationally and encourage the sustainable use of the estuary swim through new fish passes, on their way completed in September 2020. Next is Marine Site very soon! The guidelines will internationally important habitats and and its coastline, providing an enhanced and to spawning habitats upstream. now include up to date information on using species and is a key migratory route for safer environment for recreational users and Holt fish pass, and the final pass on the Severn ©Jennie Hermolle At the first impassable weir that shad is at Lincomb near Stourport. Additionally, in 2019, salmon and internationally rare fish species. visitors to enjoy, whilst reducing disturbance meet, at Diglis in Worcester, we have just the project made alterations to 2 weirs on the River Teme tributary, The extensive mudflats, saltmarshes and to our Estuary wildlife and habitats. They completed the largest deep vertical slot which now gives access to high value spawning habitat. coastal grazing marshes make it one of the cover a range of activities, from wildfowling fish pass in England and Wales. The pass is most important estuaries in the UK for its to walking and bird watching to bait digging. ©Jennie Hermolle Delivered by the Canal & River Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, 100 metres long, 8 metres wide, 5 metres number of wildfowl and wading birds with Environment Agency, and Natural England, Unlocking the Severn Please help to keep our coastline looking deep. It is formed of a series of 11 ascending pools, that take the fish over 80,000 birds visiting every winter. It is a is in the process of reopening over 150 miles of the River Severn to clean, beautiful and full of wildlife. You can in manageable steps from one level at the bottom of the weir to the key refuelling top for important spring and this protected fish species. It is made possible through funding from view our Good Practice Guidelines in both higher level above it. Most excitingly autumn passage birds. the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the European Union LIFE English and Welsh on the ASERA website ©Jennie Hermolle it includes a unique underwater programme. Activities undertaken around the estuary here. If you would like to set up a meeting viewing window for a glimpse of the and its coastline should be sympathetic to discuss what your club or community can fish in the river. We hope to start A comprehensive monitoring programme is also in place. Please join to the needs of wildlife, especially the do or for further information, please get in public tours later in the summer. The our shad counting effort as we release film footage of this year’s run thousands of wintering birds that visit every touch with the ASERA Officer, Katie Havard- experience will start at our converted during May on www.unlockingthesevern.co.uk. year. Our estuary is particularly popular for Smith at [email protected]. visitor hub on the Diglis lock island and culminate in a visit down into fish pass viewing gallery. Unlocking the Severn is a project How to get involved: built around the rare twaite shad, an Follow us on our Social Media accounts: @SevernEstuary iridescent fish related to herring that Instagram: Facebook: @SevernEstuaryPartnership migrate on to the River Severn from Check out our new website for volunteering opportunities and ©Charles Crundwell ©Charles Crundwell Twitter: @SevernEstuary for updates from SEP at www.severnestuarypartnership.org.uk Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 26 Recreation on the Severn Ports and Shipping on the Walking the Wales Coast Path – Severn Estuary: an interview with Roisin Willmott By Katie Havard-Smith, SEP Officer I advise my colleagues on a wide range of environmental matters including, Katie Havard-Smith, SEP and ASERA What were your favourite Could you tell me a bit about the The Severn Estuary has historically been a Officer biodiversity and biosecurity, air quality, stretches of the coast? wildlife that you saw along the hub of shipping activity for the UK. The 6 ships waste management, cargo handling, way? Was there anything that ports on the estuary are an integral element That is a really difficult one. Anglesey environmental permits and energy you hadn’t seen before, or was of the UK’s shipping network. Christine was wonderful, but there was something management. Nelson from Associated British Ports and amazing in every stretch. I particularly perhaps a standout moment? Anne Hayes from Bristol Port Company © Bristol Port Company enjoyed walking under the Severn Crossing; We We walked a lot of the coast path with our chatted to us about shipping in the Severn What are the main cargoes and it’s not a view that people often see. also heads down, persevering to get the miles Estuary over the last 25 years and provided activities of the port? in. At one point in Ceredigion a couple of protect an insight into the future of ports and Bristol Port is the largest commercial What would be your top tip for people rushed up to us and asked if we had AH: and enhance the shipping. port in the south west, handling around 8 anyone wishing to do the same? seen the dolphins. Sure enough there were diverse range of wildlife and habitats in the million tonnes of cargo and dolphins swimming along the coastline. I area. This includes managing over 100ha Roisin Willmott at Seawall © Roisin Willmott Get comfortable, sturdy boots and if you can, over 2,000 vessels annually. always joke that the dolphins had followed of environmental corridors and green take your time enjoying the coastline - don’t The Port covers around 2,600 us all around the coast of Wales, but that we areas in accordance with a Port Ecological The Wales Coast Path opened in 2012 and rush the experience! acres and is recognised as a only looked up to see them in Ceredigion! Management Plan won the Silver Jubilee Cup Award from the strategically important national We also saw some seals, but we mostly and promoting Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in 2013 What was your must have piece of asset, providing facilities to encountered lots of chickens and cows! a range of for planning excellence. As a representative equipment that you couldn’t have move cargo by sea, road and rail conservation of RTPI herself, Roisin set to ‘Discover the done without? to national and international What surprised you about the projects to improve shape of a nation’ along with Welsh RTPI destinations. The Port is also Really good decent boots. I went through 4 local biodiversity, members and colleagues to celebrate challenge? an integral part of local life, pairs of boots over the year, so be prepared such as an owl © Bristol Port Company the RTPI’s Centenary in 2014. Roisin split I was surprised by a particularly nice stretch directly employing around to replace kit! I also used a walking pole; conservation the path into manageable sections and behind the sewerage works in Cardiff. It 600 people from surrounding this provides protection for your hips whilst programme in an area of Royal Portbury challenged herself and her partner to walk was a cold but sunny winter day; the tide communities and beyond, with walking and also helped when walking the Dock known as “Vole City” and the the whole thing within the year. It took was going out and the views across the some 12,000 people employed steeper sections of the path. introduction of grazing by sheep to them 10 months to walk the 870 miles within the Bristol Port Estate. Severn Estuary were just amazing. The sun improve the diversity of our saltmarshes in (and a further 180 miles of the Offa’s Dyke The Port handles a wide variety Was there anything that you didn’t was glinting on the mudflats and it was a Avonmouth. Footpath), utilising weekends, holidays and really fantastic moment. I would say that of trades, including, motor enjoy about your journey? spare moments to tick off chunks of Wales’ overall, the Wales Coast Path shows you life vehicles, bulk energy products © Olivia-Grace Smith coastline. With 2014 one of the wettest and There were particularly boring stretches, throughout Wales. You walk through train (petroleum and biomass), stormiest years on record in the UK, the pair the stretches that were most challenging stations, industrial estates, residential areas What is your main role in the Port? animal feeds, containers, forest braved the wet, wind and sunshine in 348 were often the most exciting and a more but also through some amazing natural products, aggregates and metals. Bristol hours of walking! positive experience. The last stretch of the scenery. This really gives you a snapshot of AH: I am the Environment Manager at Port is the muster Port for EDF’s Hinkley path from the Queensferry Bridge to the life. The Bristol Port Company which owns and Point C Project. operates Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Chester border is 4 miles of cycle path next Bristol Port’s Statutory Harbour Area Some useful sources: Docks. My role is very varied, but primarily I to a canalised part of the River Dee. It is covers over 62 square miles of the Severn ensure that we meet our responsibilities as a completely flat and very easy going but Estuary and the tidal River Avon up to the Wales Coast Path website – statutory harbour authority to take account there was no view or wildlife to watch as we Cumberland Basin. Day to day we undertake you can download free OS maps of the path of the environment when undertaking port went. activities to provide a safe harbour area CN: Across the Severn Estuary, our ports area and print them off before you go. operations, including commercial shipping, include managing shipping traffic, providing cover a wide range of activities – different cargo handling, and managing the port pilots for larger commercial vessels, at each of our 3 Severn Estuary locations. estate and conservation areas. Much of surveying the main navigation channel For example, Newport covers 685 acres my job involves meeting the ever-growing and harbour, maintaining lights and buoys, and provides 25,000sqm of multi-purpose requirements of environmental legislation and undertaking maintenance dredging covered storage, handling around £1 billion and obtaining licences and permits for both to ensure there are safe navigable depths in trade every year – that’s 1.8 million tonnes our everyday marine operations, such as around the Port. of cargo. The port handles a wide variety of maintenance dredging and disposal, and trades, including agri-bulks, construction, Port developments. containers, rail freight and more! Due to its Did you know? Bristol Port My main role is Environment Manager excellent links to the nearby M4 and direct CN: handles 25% of the UK’s animal feed for the ‘Wales and Short Sea Ports’ region rail connections, the port occupies a prime imports and 25% of the UK’s imports of ABP. This covers 16 ports across England, location to service the UK’s main of aviation fuel which serves the UK’s Scotland and Wales – including Newport, major airports, including Heathrow and Cardiff and Barry on the Severn Estuary. Gatwick.

below the Second Severn Crossing © Roisin Willmott © Bristol Port Company Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 28 Severn Tidings Issue 20 Spring 2021 - page 29

facilities, with transit and distribution shed mitigate certain port developments such as Another key driver for change is the ever- How is shipping in the Severn capacity of 40,000sqm, and more than 12ha our two wind turbines in Newport and solar increasing size of ships. With the need to Estuary different to other areas? of open hard-standing storage area. More array in Barry. maximise efficiency, and the widening of the What are the challenges? recent investments in Cardiff includes over Panama Canal, vessels are still becoming £4 million for warehouse improvements and How long have you been a larger and larger. Even with the largest lock AH: The very large tidal range and handling equipment to support customers in member of ASERA? in the UK at Royal Portbury Dock, modern extreme physical regime of the Severn industrial the steel, forest products and general cargo ultra large containerships are too big to pass Estuary makes it different from other UK The Bristol Port Company was one and sectors. AH: through them. Looking to the future, the estuaries, presenting both benefits and of the founding members of ASERA back commercial UK Government has given consent for the challenges. It provides self-scoured deep- Finally, our 3rd port is Barry - covering 531 in 1994. Although not around from these regions. As Wales’ construction of Bristol Deep Sea Container water approaches, allowing unusually acres, it is a key facility for the region’s early days, both Louise Hemmings, ASERA leading general cargo © Bristol Port Company Terminal which will be able to handle the deep-draught vessels easy access to the chemical industry, handling liquid bulks. treasurer, and I have been involved for port, the Port of Newport supports 4,100 next generation of containerships. Estuary’s ports. However, challenges The port handles around 300,000 tonnes of jobs nationally and annually contributes around 20 years. duties under the Habitats Regulations in include fast-moving currents and highly cargo, contributing over £340 million to the a co-ordinated and efficient way. A key £275 million to the economy. Like many I’m unsure of the exact length of time, What do you think is going to be mobile sandbank features which present economy every year and supporting around CN: benefit is in getting together (albeit virtually of our sites, Newport has undergone a but it’s at least 15 years now. navigational risks and require frequent 5,000 jobs. With over 4.5km of quay side, the greatest challenge for the number of developments in recent years, these days) to share information, news, surveying. Furthermore, the extremely high the Port of Barry can accept a wide range of Severn Estuary ports in the next including a recently upgraded bulk terminal, relevant guidance, and good practice in suspended sediment loads in the water vessels, and regularly handles Scandinavian What do you see as the main 25 years? And how can an estuary- computerised stock control and a wide order to develop a better understanding of column provide an inexhaustible supply and Baltic timber, steel cargoes, coal, advantage of networking at an wide perspective help? range of different services. both conservation features and activities of muds to deposit in the sheltered dock cement, and aggregates as well as specialist estuary scale? taking place in the estuary. entrances and basins, requiring almost Moving further along the Estuary, the Port of liquid bulks to serve the UK’s chemical AH: Through ASERA we work with Getting all the stakeholders continual maintenance dredging to ensure Cardiff handles 1.8m tonnes of cargo every industry. With a long history and extensive CN: other authorities in the Severn Estuary to safe navigation. year accounting for £400m of total trade and together in one place is a great expertise in handling an array of different implement a management plan to protect contributing £180m to the UK economy on opportunity for me to catch up The Severn Estuary has such a unique cargoes, the port is also contributing to the important designated habitats and CN: an annual basis. Cardiff is one of the leading with people. ABP has built up good tidal range and cycle, which has to be renewable energy goals, with Barry Solar wildlife. This provides a framework within ports in South Wales and the UK, with relationships with NRW, Bristol Port managed by every vessel coming into our Farm which covers 37 acres and generates which we can manage our activities to excellent road and rail links. The port builds Company and the local authorities ports! This makes it both beneficial and clean energy for ABP, its port tenants’ achieve the nature conservation objectives on a rich heritage of international trade and of Newport, Cardiff and the Vale of challenging for all vessels at each of our operations and the National Grid. of the site, which helps us meet our statutory continues to serve businesses throughout Glamorgan. The meetings are a good three ports, and means we need to ensure we Other activities include Britain, supporting 2,600 jobs nationally. opportunity to share information and understand the Estuary, and that we manage maintenance dredging – we build up relationships outside of the Today, the main services available at the © Bristol Port Company and maintain safe access at all times. recently obtained 10-year dredge port include; construction, containers, normal work conversations. licenses for all of our South cruise, bulk, energy, forest products, liquid What is your favourite place on Wales ports – and we have also One of the biggest challenges facing bulks, rail freight, project cargo, steel and How has the port industry AH: the Severn Estuary? worked in partnership with South Severn Estuary Ports and the Port and other metals. Additionally, three berths are changed in the last 25 years in the West Wales Wildlife Trusts to Shipping sector in general is the transition approved for cruise liner calls are situated Severn Estuary? And what have support habitat management to a net zero emission future. Bristol Port less than 5 minutes away from the centre of been the main drivers for this and biodiversity enhancement is preparing our first Air Quality Strategy, Cardiff and its world-class tourist attractions. change? schemes. We have compensatory and as part of this we are implementing The port has extensive storage and handling habitats across our ports to AH: Bristol Port has changed considerably energy efficiency schemes, delivering an over the past 25 years. Since privatisation ongoing programme to electrify our Port © Bristol Port Company in 1991 there has been over £600 million vehicles and cargo handling equipment, investment made, creating a modern, and planning further onsite renewables, in thriving business and attracting a wide range addition to the existing three wind turbines of trades. This investment is from the private in Avonmouth. UK Ports are investigating sector. Ports are constantly evolving in the use of alternative fuels and considering response to customer needs and changing the provision of shore-side power to vessels, national and international markets. There which present very significant challenges at have been huge technological advances present. © Anne Hayes within the port sector during this time A key challenge facing the Severn Estuary providing more efficient, safer and cleaner That’s a tricky one, there are too many is finding a sustainable means of tapping AH: port operations. The environment has wonderful places to choose from. I may the estuary’s considerable potential for always been an important consideration for be a bit biased, but I don’t think you can generating tidal power. An estuary-wide ports, however with increasing regulation beat a Portishead sunset! I’ve been lucky perspective will be essential in providing and growing awareness of environmental enough to see some breath-taking sunsets a co-ordinated approach to meeting this issues over the past few decades the need during my lockdown walks and runs. There challenge and avoiding the mistakes of past to improve port environmental performance is also something special about seeing proposed large scale tidal-energy initiatives and sustainability has become a much large ships passing so close to the headland that would have resulted in serious damage higher priority. at Battery Point in Portishead. (Like many to both the environment and ports. local residents, I have become a secret ship spotter, but don’t tell anyone!) © Bristol Port Company © Bristol Port

Did you know? In 2020, the Ports of Newport, Cardiff and Barry generated 15Gwh via their onsite wind turbines and solar panels. Discover the Severn guides

Take a look at our Discover the Severn guides by clicking on the front covers below!

The Severn Estuary Partnership receives in-kind support from Cardiff University and core funding from Bristol City Council, Cardiff County Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Newport City Council, Somerset County Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Environment Agency South West, Natural Resources Wales and Natural England.

Severn Estuary Partnership c/o School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT Established in 1995, the Severn Estuary Partnership Tel: 02920 874 713 (SEP) is an independent, estuary-wide initiative led Email: [email protected] by local authorities and statutory agencies, engaging www.severnestuarypartnership.org.uk and connecting with all those interested in the Severn Estuary. We work with all stakeholders to promote a sustainable approach to the planning, management, SevernEstuaryPartnership and development of the estuary for all who live and @SevernEstuary work here and for our future generations.