An innovative Broads restoration project has been commended at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Work to restore an eroded reed bed and spit of land at Salhouse Broad using dredged sediment from the nearby river was celebrated at the 2013 Water Renaissance Awards in Birmingham on Thursday 30th May.
The Broads Authority project beat 30 others across the country to become a finalist in the Innovation category for its demonstration of how dredging the Broads can become a win-win situation for boaters and wildlife alike.
Sediment from the River Bure was used to fill giant woven geotextile bags which were then sunk below the waterline to form a 170m retaining wall on the eroded spit line and space behind the bags was then filled in with more sediment.
The mud was then planted with seed taken from encroaching reed fringes in the nearby river to help restore the 7,000m² reed bed as it would have looked 60 years ago.
The techniques used have attracted huge national and international interest and lead the way for managing the Broads in the future.
The project, which cost £230,000, was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Promoting Integrated Sediment Management (Prisma) project and Prisma project manager William Coulet said he was delighted that the work was commended.
“ We might not have won first prize but this is fantastic news. I am so pleased that the hard work of everyone involved has been recognised in this way and that this acclaim will also now help further promote the technique, which is a win-win for everyone .”
Prince Charles, patron of the awards , said: “ Through these awards we are able to shine the spotlight on the people and organisations who spend their time caring for and improving our canals and rivers.
“it is thanks to their passion and determination that our waterways survive for present and future generations to enjoy and I extend my congratulations to you all. ”
Helen Carey, Chair Waterways Renaissance Awards Assessment Panel : “ Once again we’ve seen some fantastic and truly inspiring projects from across the UK.
“ We can all learn so much from these achievements, especially when it comes to engaging communities to make the most of their canals and rivers, and we wish them many congratulations on their tremendous success. ”
First prize in the Innovation category was taken by Tees International White Water Centre, a self-sustaining Olympic standard raft course in Stockton-on-Tees.
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Press Release, June 4, 2013