Crossrail soil will be used to build sanctuary for rare birds

12 April 2012

Thousands of endangered birds are to be protected in a new nature reserve built from soil removed during Crossrail tunnelling work.

Saltmarshes and mudflats built from the soil are expected to attract rare and exotic birds such as spoonbills and black-winged stilts. Kentish plovers could also return, after disappearing from Britain more than 50 years ago.

Otters, saltwater fish including herring and flounder, and saltwater plants such as sea lavender and samphire are expected to thrive. The 1,500-acre nature reserve at Wallasea Island in Essex will be created using four million cubic metres of the excavated material.

The proposals, approved by the Government and Essex county council, will create one of the largest new wetland nature reserves in Europe for 50 years. The habitats at Wallasea Island will act as a carbon sink and soak up 2.2 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year.

A spokesman for the RSPB said feeding grounds have been deteriorating because of rising water levels and port development.

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