The C.R.O.W. Act (Countryside and Rights of Way Act) gives additional protection to Seacroft Marsh SSSI and to further strengthen the position, in March 2004, East Lindsey District Council's executive board agreed that this 125 acres of land which they own should be earmarked for wildlife protection and become a local nature reserve. This decision is likely to spell the end for certain recreational activities which are believed to be ecolgically-detrimental - for instance, quad biking, motorcycling and illicit camping.
E.L.D.C. erected signs on Seacroft Esplanade in 2001 and some 2 years later at Beach Road.
Parents buy new equipment
Many riders wear no helmets
Bikes race each other
Some very near misses
THE DAMAGE
On 12 April 2002 the Police ATV gets stuck in the marsh while looking for flares and the Bomb Disposal vehicle also bogs down trying to pull them out.
Both vehicles are subsequently pulled out by the Lifeboat tractor. Considerable damage is caused to the site, samples of which appear below.
OTHER MISUSE OF SITE
Horses pose a problem on the beach, which is further aggrevated when their dogs are allowed to run loose.
Kite powered vehicles have been running along the sand since the Autumn of 2001. Up to three at a time observed so far, not only clearing the birds but posing a direct danger to the public. They have been observed as far South as the Steeping outfall.
Even sunbathing can pose a problem, this windbreak has been erected on the shingle ridge in an area where ringed plovers have made scrapes prior to laying eggs.
Fishing Match - Spread along the SAC beach but these anglers photographed actually on the NNR
Commercial shrimping takes place sometimes less than 100 mtrs from the shore line.
Occassionally quadbikes stray onto the site, these two claimed they had been told that it was waste land!! Notice the young child sat on the riders knee, totally vulnerable.
Long term illegal camping is an annual problem which ELDC had been dealing with under the Sandhills Act of 1932 but unfortunately through 2006 they have turned a blind eye to such activities. Fire pits have been dug and left open with large piles of rubbish left as hazzards and to be blown by the wind. Nearby bushes are used as toilets making large areas very unattractive.
In July/August each year asians from the midlands collect samphire to sell on their local markets.
