With roll out of the English Coast Path in Norfolk, previously less accessible and sensitive coastal sites were under threat from possible intensified footfall. With this in mind, Norfolk County Council set out to test new means of managing access to sensitive dune sites, whilst still enabling visitors (local and further afield), to enjoy these beautiful locations.
In Holme-next-the-Sea on the north-western edge of the county, we worked with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust to develop a Visitor Management Plan which highlights the concerns and sensitivities specifically for the sand dunes, and makes recommendations on how to overcome and mitigate some of the pressures from increasing visitor numbers in the future. This plan is currently in its draft form and will be published in Summer 2021. Once complete, this document will provide other site managers with an example that might be replicated elsewhere.
Also at Holme-next-the-Sea, we have supported the Norfolk Wildlife Trust in recruiting a warden to communicate and engage with visitors about sand dunes. The warden will be able to advise visitors on how to enjoy the dunes safely and in the process explain why they play an important role in our coastlines future. At the end of the summer season, the warden will provide us with information to advise on future communications with similar audiences.
On the opposite side of the county, we have worked in partnership with site managers and community groups in Winterton to install interchangeable rope and post supported by ‘people or footfall counters’. This will enable the site manager and supporting community groups to manage the flow of visitors to the sand dunes, allowing marram grass coverage to be managed to ensure more dynamic and healthy dunes. Monitoring has commenced, with counters allowing us to see how people adapt their behaviour on site, when signage and roping is used.