Urgent repair work needed on Stratford’s nature reserve island
URGENT repair work needs to be done to save Cox’s Island from complete erosion.
The nature reserve on the River Avon which is home to swans, ducks, geese and other birds is a familiar sight to anyone crossing the river using Tramway Bridge but rising water levels caused by flooding and wash from increased river traffic means the island needs to be shored up with a cement collar or ring before the erosion process becomes irreversible; the work could cost £200,000.
According to Stratford swan warden and former mayor, Cyril Bennis, the nature reserve has needed protection for the last seven to ten years.
“Work to secure the island is needed now because the pounding of wash from boats and flooding has been ongoing. It’s important to safeguard the environment for the wildlife and we have to do it now. The area’s been ignored and I have asked for help from the district council who could remove some of the dead trees that have eroded. It needs a ring of granite blocks around the island which I estimate could cost as much as £200,000 or more,” Mr Bennis said.
He added the safeguarding project could be funded using Section 106 monies or from public donations if an appeal was launched, which he might consider in the future.
A plaque is mounted on Tramway Bridge close to the nature reserve island in memory of Phillip Handy a young musician from Stratford who lost his life when he was electrocuted performing in a band at the Green Dragon pub in Greenhill Street, Stratford in 1986.
As a result of his tragic death his family successfully petitioned Government for legislation to make the installation of electrical circuit breakers in places of public entertainment mandatory.
The plaque was installed by Stratford District Council.
It reads: This island is maintained for the benefit of wildlife by means of a trust in memory of Phillip David Handy of Stratford-upon-Avon 1968-1986
Mr Bennis said there was another plaque made of wood in memory of Phillip Handy that used to be located on the nature reserve island but he believes this may have been washed away overtime.
