Breaching flood defences will bring Thames wetland to life

A giant wetland has been created to help offset a huge construction project in the Thames Gateway.

The wildlife reserve will come to life as engineers breach part of the Essex coast's flood defence wall, intentionally flooding 75 acres. It is hoped the new mudflats will become ideal feeding areas for avocets, dunlins, black-tailed godwits and other species of birds.

The plans have taken two years to finalise and involved staff creating new habitats for adders, newts, lizards and water voles, which are being re-homed as part of the development works for the new deep sea container port.

The project has come under fire for dredging large parts of the Thames riverbed, causing disruption to wildlife and local fishermen.

DP World, which is building the port, worked closely with many environmental authorities to deliver the new wildlife reserve.

Archaeologists were also sent to check for historical remains. Last year they uncovered Roman ruins including salt production houses dating back 2,000 years.

Steve Bewers, the Environment Agency's project manager for London Gateway, said: "This will ensure that important feeding grounds for birds will continue to exist and not be lost through commercial development."