News - 25/11/14

Work has now commenced on the Medina Greenway, an improved, shared route between Island Harbour and Seaclose Park, Newport. The Estuaries Partnership, of which Cowes Harbour Commission is a funding member, has a long involvement with the development of this project. The Greenway is being delivered by Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council with funding from the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund. 

The current works will upgrade the surface of the path for a variety of different users to share, including cyclists of all abilities, users with impaired mobility and those with pushchairs and small children. The project also involves bridge widening to improve access, drainage, path repairs and the removal of some dead or dying trees. New trees will be planted to replace those removed and a boardwalk created above particularly sensitive habitat. The timing and nature of the work has been carefully planned to avoid an impact on the wildlife and habitats of the estuary. 

The Estuaries Project has teamed up with Island-based Arc Consulting to create some interesting interpretative materials to raise awareness of our special environment. This will provide information about visiting and overwintering birds, important invertebrates, saltmarsh and mudflats and how we can help to protect them. At the southern entrance there will also be a special sculpture by Isle of Wight artist Chris Jenkins.

The shared route is expected to be completed by the end of the year and we will provide further information on the project in a forthcoming newsletter.

By Sue Hawley, Estuaries Officer, Isle of Wight Estuaries Project. The Estuaries Project is a partnership between Cowes Harbour Commission, the Environment Agency, Isle of Wight Council, Natural England, and Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners.