New wetland created on Severn Estuary

A new wetland site on the Severn Estuary, created as part of flood defence works, is set to be open to the public soon. 

Hallen Marsh, near Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston, includes 4 km of new public footpaths and is hoped to prove especially attractive to waders and waterfowl. Its creation is part of flood defence works led by the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA), which will see some 80 ha of new habitats created around the Severn Estuary.

Hallen Marsh has been created as part of flood defence works along the Severn Estuary (ASEA).

The fact the public will be able to access Hallen Marsh was revealed in a meeting of the public rights of way and greens committee at Bristol City Council on 11 September, though an ASEA spokesperson said the opening date was yet to be confirmed.

Green Party councillor Tessa Fitzjohn, chair of the Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee, said: "An ornithological group will be setting up bird monitoring surveys for next year, and they're going to be monitoring wintering and breeding bird populations, and that will be between September and April."

A second area of wetland is also being created in Northwick, north of Pilning.