One of the largest managed realignments undertaken in the UK, Jubilee Marsh will create 166ha of mudflats, lagoons, marshes, fish pools and grasslands.

On 11 September, the RSPB hosted an event to celebrate the completion of their ‘Jubilee Marsh’ tidal wetland restoration initiative. The creation of this marsh represents the first phase in the pioneering Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project which, when complete, will be 677 hectares in size.  

On its own, Jubilee Marsh represents one of the largest managed realignments in the UK. Creating 166ha of mudflats, lagoons, marshes, fish pools and grasslands, it also includes extensive footpaths and viewing shelters. 

This large coastal habitats creation project, is highly innovative and a fantastic example of joined-up planning in the UK. It has been landscaped using around 2 million m³ of sediment (almost ‘two Wembley stadiums’ full) extracted from the Crossrail tunnelling works and from the excavation of other important habitats across Wallasea Island, including a vast ditch system for water voles. 

Many benefits will arise from this project. As a partnership between the RSPB, Crossrail and the Environment Agency, it has already met the UK Government’s commitment to beneficially use the sediment from Crossrail, while sustainably addressing the flood risks at Wallasea. Most obviously, it now provides a new coastal landscape that the local community and visitors can enjoy, which will mature and become increasingly biodiverse over the coming years.

Learn more about our involvement in Wallasea Island Wild Coast.