The C.R.O.W. Act (Countryside and Rights of Way Act) gives additional protection to Seacroft Marsh SSSI/SAC but in spite of increased powers East Lindsey District Council takes little effective action to protect this site from damage. They have consulted with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to help them prepare a management plan for Natural England with a view to declaring the site a Local Nature Reserve but there has been a total lack of enthusiasm
by all parties invoved and the whole site remains unprotected. In 2015 Natural England gave the goahead to remove Buckthorn from most of the outer dunes and saltmarsh resulting in more actual damage than has been created by illegal misuse in the last two decades.
E.L.D.C. erected signs on Seacroft Esplanade in 2001 and some 2 years later at Beach Road.
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 MISUSERS 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 at high tide, sometimes less than 100 mtrs from the shore line, the SSSI/SAC extends to the mean low water 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 are now dealing with under the Sandhills Act of 1932. 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 bags full of samphire to sell on their local markets.
