Cuckmere Estuary Partnership

A new, independent report published today explores people’s different views and concerns about the future of the Cuckmere Estuary.

The report is the result of intensive community engagement work carried out over the summer, including three open public meetings, five themed workshops, on-street surveys and an online forum and questionnaire.  In total, more than 450 people took part in the process.

Most people responding to the survey live within five miles of the estuary. A third visit it at least once a month, and a quarter once a week.  The main reason people gave for using the estuary was to walk, and because they value the stunning coastal scenery.

During the public events, people were asked what they felt were the main challenges and opportunities for the estuary, and for their proposals and suggestions for the future.

Amongst the challenges discussed were the importance of maintaining good access via the A259; preserving the footpaths; environmental issues and the balance between the needs of biodiversity and people; the role of the new National Park Authority; and the importance of continuing routine maintenance in the estuary in the near future. People also wanted to have a better understanding of the costs associated with different options for the future of the estuary.

When asked about opportunities, people suggested additional research – including on sea level rise in the area, on the impact of any changes on business and tourism and on the views and needs of visitors – and exploring different funding sources for the estuary.   Some saw the current situation as an opportunity to create an area of important salt marsh and mudflat habitat; others pointed to the possibility of diversifying  the recreation activities available and improving marketing to encourage more visitors to the estuary.

People’s proposals for the future covered a range of short, medium and long-term solutions. They included more sustainable transport routes, maintaining the status quo, reconnecting the meanders and restoring the Cuckmere back into a fully functioning estuary.

Henrietta Hopkins, one of the authors of the report, said: “This was a fascinating study. The future of the Cuckmere is an important issue, not just locally but nationally, given the high profile and beauty of the area.  What came over to us, as independent facilitators, was the depth of knowledge within the community, and the strength of people’s feelings about the estuary. People have an emotional attachment to the landscape – as one participant said, the Cuckmere is ‘part of my soul’.  It was wonderful that so many people got involved in the engagement process and had an opportunity to express their views.  We think it is essential that the Cuckmere Estuary Partnership continues to work very closely with the community in order to allow a range of different voices to be heard and to keep people fully informed.“

Speaking on behalf of the Cuckmere Estuary Partnership, Kate Cole said: “We warmly welcome this report and we are really grateful to all who took part and shared their views.  There has been a wide range of suggestions and proposal put forward, and the Partnership will be responding formally to those within the next few months.

“In the meantime, we are absolutely committed to continuing the dialogue established through the engagement events and to maintaining very close working links with all those concerned about the future of the estuary. One suggestion which we are keen to follow up on immediately is to establish a ‘Working Group’ of representatives of the wider community, who can act as advisors and critical friends to the Partnership.  Membership of the group would not require signing up to the Partnership itself, and would not be restricted to those with a direct interest or statutory involvement in the Cuckmere.  We will be drawing up plans over the next few weeks for how the Partnership might work with this group, and we very much hope that anyone interested in getting involved will contact us on info@cuckmere.org.uk or via the Seven Sisters Country Park.

The current maintenance of the river banks will be withdrawn in April 2011. By then, the Cuckmere Estuary Partnership aims to have developed a long-term management plan for the estuary which fully reflects the views of local residents and businesses.

Copies of the engagement report are available to view in Seaford, Lewes and Eastbourne libraries, from council offices, and online at www.cuckmere.org.uk/resources/engagement-report/.