Lymington Harbour and its surroundings are protected under the European Habitats Directive which recognises the international importance of these habitats and the wildlife they support. However, the Lymington saltmarshes are progressively eroding due to constant wave and tidal action as well as plant ‘dieback’.  New Forest District Council and Lymington Harbour Commission coastal experts predict that if nothing is done, the saltmarshes might well have disappeared by 2040. 

Wightlink have proposed a scheme to slow down this erosion.  It has been under discussion with a wide range of local organisations including the Lymington Harbour Commissioners, the Environment Agency and the New Forest National Park Authority and will be supported by a long-term monitoring plan. Natural England have advised us that they are confident that the scheme will work in benefitting the threatened outer saltmarsh. Wightlink and Natural England are now seeking the views of interested parties on the details of the scheme

The scheme involves moving sediment dredged from the harbour and marinas to an area of degraded saltmarsh to the east of the harbour. It is designed to prolong the life of the existing marsh and protect it from accelerated erosion rates caused by tide and weather.  While the lower mudflat habitats will remain widespread in the Solent over the next 100 years, around 5-600 ha of saltmarsh will disappear.

The protected marsh is rich in plant life, supporting sea purslane, sea lavender and sea spurry. Also the recharge scheme will benefit salt marsh that is highly important as a high water roost site for shore birds from the wider Solent area, and a breeding site for nationally important numbers of black headed gulls and other shore birds. If not used in this positive way the maintenance dredge materials will be dumped out to sea..

People have waited a long time to see a project such as this for Lymington, and Wightlink are committed to delivering it and the benefits that it will bring.

Please read the details which follow and which invite stakeholder comment.

Mitigation final report  Printable PDF Version

Monitoring final report  Printable PDF Version