The first shipload of earth from the London Crossrail project is due to arrive at Wallasea Island on August 20th.
It’s part of a very important conservation project.
Why is the earth needed? The RSPB website explains here:
The island is on average 2 metres below sealevel, having eroded over the years of intensive farm activity, so in order to restore the old marshland the landscape must be built up in carefully planned, natural levels gently sloping up to the new seawall bunds which will eventually provide extensive foot and cycle path access to many areas of the island.
Crossrail’s first ship will arrive on Monday August 20th, when the unloading facility – the pontoon which arrived at Easter and the 800 metre conveyor belt which has been under construction since last Autumn – will be tested and seen in action for the very first time.