Severn Estuary

The Severn Estuary is where the River Severn meets the Bristol Channel. The estuary flows between south west England (North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire) and south Wales (Cardiff to Monmouthshire).

It has one of the most extensive intertidal wildlife habitats in the UK due to its very high tidal range of approximately 15 meters. Intertidal habitats appear in the section where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. The habitats include mudflats, sandflats, rocky platforms and islands.

The estuary is recognised as a:

• wetland area of international importance and is designated as a Ramsar site
• Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
• Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Parts of the estuary, including the entire stretch of North Somerset’s coast, has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

North Somerset Council’s role is to protect and improve these areas, especially the seafront. Our management of the beach at Weston-super-Mare focuses on the more sensitive areas such as the sand dunes, which are important natural coastal flood defences, and mud flats.

The estuary is surrounded by many different local authorities and two countries. Working in partnership is key to ensuring cross-border collaboration and decision making. This is done through membership of three different organisations.

1. The Severn Estuary Partnership (SEP) was set up in 1995 as an independent initiative. It focuses on the activities of local government, statutory authorities and interested parties such as ports and inshore fisheries. It aims to promote a sustainable approach to the management of the Severn Estuary for all who live and work here.
2. The Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities (ASERA) was formed in 1998. It is a single management scheme with an action plan for the Severn Estuary European Marine Site (EMS). ASERA has produced good practice guidance for responsible use of the estuary. North Somerset Council is the current chair of the association.
3. The Severn Estuary Coastal Group (SECG) was established in 1993 and manages the shoreline around the Severn Estuary. SECG provides support to organisations in their responsibility to manage coastal protection and flood defence issues.

Sand dunes form a key part of the Sever Estuary and are important for many reasons, including:

• providing protection from coastal flooding
• slowing coastal erosion of beaches
• providing habitat for birds and small creatures such as stoats, lizards and butterflies

Sand dunes are the most at risk habitat in Europe. Since 1900, the UK’s sand dunes have declined by a third.

The SECG prepared a shoreline management plan (SMP) that provides the strategic long-term polices for the flood and erosion risk management of the coast. It includes a plan for the management of the beach at Weston-super-Mare and a list of actions that includes protection and improvement of the dunes.