A redshank standing in the flood water at Cuckmere Valley, East Sussex
A redshank bird standing in the floodwater at the Cuckmere Valley region, South Downs in East Sussex. The stunning landscape in Cuckmere Valley is about to change for for the tidal defences that protect this famous beauty spot with meandering river has been withdrawn. In the coming years the valley will be flooded and returned to salt marsh habitat. Cuckmere Valley is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in 1846 the Victorians dug a straight channel through the valley to speed up transport of goods upriver,cutting the meanders off from the sea. Flood banks were built along the channel to keep the valley floor dry for grazing. Lush grassland replaced former salt marsh and mud flats, creating one of Britain's best-loved beauty spots. The Environment Agency currently maintains the flood banks along the channel, but this is expensive work. It is estimated to cost £18m to protect for the valley from flooding next 100 years. Therefore the Environment Agency is going to stop repairing the defences, and when high tides start washing over the banks, nature will be left to take it's course. In 50 years, experts predict the valley will be returned to wild-life rich mudflats and salt marsh.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Cuckmere Valley, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © Jeff Gilbert / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: bird, conservationists, cuckmere, east, environment, floodwater, landscape, marsh, mudflats, nature, quagmire, redshank, river, salt, sea, sussex, tides, uk, valley, wildlife
