From left, AV&DCS committee member, Martin Drake, East Devon District Council deputy environment portfolio holder, Cllr Marcus Hartnell, countryside team leader, James Chubb and AV&DCS Chairman, Doug Rudge on the new Borrow Pit path.

Access to Seaton Marshes improved for wheelchairs and pushchairs

The Borrow Pit pond at Seaton Marshes in now fully accessible for everyone to enjoy. The pond, which can be found at Seaton Marshes local nature reserve offers a peaceful circular walk away from the hustle and bustle of Seaton and is a haven for wildlife.

The site, which is popular with families, was identified as a place requiring accessibility improvements and the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society (AV&DCS), who are the leaseholders of the pond, worked with site managers East Devon District Council countryside team, to put together a funding bid.

The work was funded by the Tesco 'Bags of Help' grant which is run in partnership with environmental charity Groundworks, with assistance from Seaton Town Council and The Province of Devonshire Masonic WAKE fund. Work to improve access was carried out by a team of AV&DCS volunteers, countryside rangers and volunteers and a local contractor. The site can now be enjoyed by visitors with pushchairs or wheelchairs. 

Cllr Marcus Hartnell, a Seaton resident and East Devon District Council's deputy environment portfolio holder, said:

The Borrow Pit is a haven of wildlife and peace and quiet and is accessible on foot from Seaton. The work carried out by the countryside team and the AV&DCS will enable more people to visit this special part of the town and enjoy the outstanding wildlife which can be found here.

Countryside team leader (Sites), James Chubb said:

Seaton Marshes is a fantastic spot which is walkable from Seaton. It is great to see the local community come together and vote to improve the site through the Tesco 'Bags of Help' grant. We're delighted to further improve accessibility to Seaton Wetlands and always enjoy working closely with our partners at the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society.

Groundwork's National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said:

Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down the UK to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them. The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area. We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive.

Doug Rudge, Chairman for the AV&DCS added:

The AV&DCS and the countryside team work closely throughout the year to conserve the outstanding countryside in the Axe Estuary. The work to improve access around the Borrow Pit is a fantastic example of partnership working which was supported by local community groups and the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.

The East Devon District Council's countryside team manage ten nature reserves across the district. For more information on visiting Seaton Marshes, or other countryside sites visit wildeastdevon.co.uk. The countryside team can be contacted by emailing [email protected] or calling 013955175575.