Stiffkey, which is situated just across the water from Blakeney National Nature Reserve, is home to one of the country's richest saltmarshes for wildlife. Flooded daily by the tide it is an important conservation area for breeding birds.
A new footbridge is now in place at Stiffkey, following the completion of a project to provide access to one of the county’s precious habitats, as well as an additional means of escape from the saltmarsh at high tide.
The single-span 20-metre footbridge replaces a previous bridge that was no longer fit for purpose following coastal erosion and had to be removed on safety grounds.
The new bridge spans a greater distance to help extend the life of the bridge, allowing for the anticipated future erosion of the creek.
Steel was chosen as the primary structural material to span the distance required without the need for intermediary support, this has been given a galvanised coating for durability in the marine environment.
The main visual elements of the structure use a timber-effect recycled plastic, helping to reduce its environmental impact and give the bridge a more natural appearance.
The structural core of the reinforced plastic is comprised of recycled plastic bottles. Around 140 x 500ml plastic bottles have been saved from landfill for every square metre of this material, lowering the carbon footprint of the bridge.
Unlike timber, this material doesn’t rot or degrade, again helping to extend the life of the bridge.
“We know our local community will be celebrating this milestone with us. Since announcing our intention to rebuild, we have needed to take our time to bring on board specialists, plan for and design a structure that would be suitable for this inter-tidal environment and secure the necessary permissions and funding we needed.
“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and support during the construction period. We hope this new bridge will enable people to make memories here.
“We’ve made sure the design means people can still enjoy crabbing from the bridge and the new width and abutments mean it’s more accessible. It will also provide a safe means of escape from the saltmarsh, which is covered at high tide.
“As a conservation charity we’ll be asking visitors to keep to the path, as the surrounding saltmarsh is a fragile environment and sensitive breeding bird area. It’s a careful balance to get right and we will need all walkers to work with us to help ensure we keep this place special.”
The bridge is in a challenging coastal location, situated within a precious saltmarsh habitat, exposed to daily tides and wave action.
The deployment of the matting for example, used to protect the landscape from specialist machinery, had to be adapted and tethered to concrete blocks, to prevent movement during high tides.
A temporary crossing also had to be installed to provide access to both sides of the creek for construction personnel and equipment. The 20 metre steel beams were then carefully transported down narrow lanes before being craned into place.
Geotechnical investigations also revealed significantly poor ground conditions, which is why the piled foundations have been driven to a depth of 18 metres to provide stability.
To help navigate the complex project, the National Trust has worked with several organisations and specialists in their fields. Norwich-based practice, Conisbee, was brought on board to support as Civil and Structural Engineers, and Project Managers.
“Stiffkey Saltmarshes represents one of our most precious habitats, and also a demanding environment for any construction, including multiple statutory, ecological and logistical complexities.
"This project presented a challenging yet valuable opportunity to create something of real worth to the community, whilst respecting and protecting this unique landscape. Conisbee is proud to have supported the National Trust to see this realised.”
"Working in a beautiful and unique place like Stiffkey Saltmarshes was both a privilege and a challenge. On top of the usual environmental and logistical complexities, we also had to contend with the supermoon tides, which added an extra layer of difficulty.
“Collaborating with the National Trust on this project made it even more meaningful, as their commitment to preserving and enhancing such precious landscapes was integral to our approach.
“As a local contractor, this project was especially significant to us — not just because of the technical challenges, but because it allowed us to give back to the community that we’re proud to be a part of.
“We’re excited to see the bridge completed, and as local Norfolk people, we look forward to using it with our own families, knowing it will serve the community for generations to come."
The project was made possible thanks to funding from Sky in partnership with WWF.
“Access to nature, including saltmarshes, is essential for enhancing our health and well-being. Supporting communities in safely and responsibly exploring these incredible habitats is vital; replacing the bridge at Stiffkey Marsh helps to do just that.
"We are proud to support this National Trust project, thanks to our partnership with Sky, through which we’re aiming to improve people’s understanding of the importance of protecting and restoring UK saltmarsh as an important habitat for wildlife, a carbon sink, and as a landscape that helps to boost the UK’s resilience to climate change.”
The footbridge is now open and walkers following the newly designated Public Right of Way to this bridge are encouraged to continue to check tide times before visiting.
The location of the bridge is indicated on the map below (ringed in red). It is located a short distance from the National Trust's car park in Stiffkey.
If you would like to contact us about Stiffkey Bridge, please email StiffkeyBridgeProject@nationaltrust.org.uk.
8 November 2024
Work on the bridge is now complete and our contractors handed the site back to the National Trust earlier today. The bridge is now open to the public. If you are planning to visit Stiffkey Marshes, please help us to protect this important, yet fragile, habitat by staying on the footpath, keeping dogs on leads, and enjoying the wildlife without causing disturbance.
Spectacular wildlife and uninterrupted views of beautiful coastline
