Bird netting removal update: Friday, April 12th

Date published: 12th April 2019

Work to remove bird netting on Bacton cliffs resumed today at around 8am and is planned to continue through the day.

The rope-access work started from the north-western end of the frontage yesterday, Thursday April 11^th.

The north-western end, where the cliffs are at their highest, is the furthest section from the access to the beach at Bacton.

The removal project will move in a south-easterly direction (ie towards the Bacton end of the frontage) today and over the weekend.

The project is weather dependent (especially wind strength and rain) for safety reasons, with the forecast currently sunny and sunny intervals, with a moderate or fresh breeze.

With the current weather forecast, the removals are due for completion by mid next week.

A very detailed assessment was carried out yesterday morning as to where it was considered by all parties that the protection could be removed with minimal likelihood of future disturbance of sand martins while the works to protect people’s homes and critical infrastructure are underway.

Protection will be retained in the agreed areas over existing burrowing holes and potential nesting sites, however extensive areas will be removed.

North Norfolk District Council will continue to monitor the situation, with continued professional advice from the RSPB and Natural England, to ensure safety of the sand martins.

It has always been the intention to ensure the safety of this group of birds and its wider habitat – which stretches several kilometres to the north west of the site, through Paston, Mundesley and beyond towards Trimingham.

For further details about the project please see our dedicated page Bacton Sandscaping Scheme.