. Rainham marsh
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. 139 _ Rainham Marsh

Aerial view of restored wetlands, a mix of wet grassland, reedbeds and open water, with the new public access paths
image credit: Storm Photography | aerial view of restored wetlands and new public access paths.

Designs for public access elements across Rainham marsh were developed through detailed studies of individual paths and landscape features. These studies drew on analysis of the historic landscape structures and current landscape character of the site. The project creates a new public access path linking Rainham village directly to the Thames waterfront, wayfinding signage, seating, interpretive elements and informal play areas.

Design judgements were guided throughout by a review of hydrological and ecological conditions and close consultation with the RSPB, Natural England, and the Environment Agency. This informed the final choice of path route, an integrated solution which takes advantage of opportunities for habitat creation and water management across this part of Rainham marsh.

project type: landscape access, conservation | client: London Borough of Havering | date: 2007-20011 | value: £1,200,000 | status: complete
Aerial view of southern section of marsh, public paths integrated with extensive wet grassland.
image credit: Storm Photography | southern section of the marsh | new public paths integrated with extensive areas of wet grassland.
Visitor group, seen here on a new section of boardwalk, set within the restored reedbeds.
Visitor group on new boardwalk set within restored reedbeds.
Walker on the Thames link path with bench, carved from Portland stone, resting on a bed of reclaimed concrete railway sleepers.
Thames link path | portland stone bench laid on a bed of reclaimed concrete railway sleepers.
Culvert crossing point incorporating gabions and estate fencing beside restored watercourses.
Culvert crossing point | gabions and estate fencing beside restored watercourses.
Outlook point close to Aveley bay. Paving from reclaimed concrete railway sleepers, with benches in oak and weathering steel.
Outlook point close to Aveley bay | paved with reclaimed concrete railway sleepers, benches in oak and weathering steel.
One of the new concrete bridges with a distant view of the trackway.
New concrete vehicle bridge used for cattle management.
Reeded ditch with new precast concrete footbridge on the Thames link path.
Precast concrete footbridge on the Thames link path.
New 'soft' path close to the western entrance to the marshes.
New 'soft' path close to the western entrance to the marshes.
Restored grazing marsh seen from the Thames link path, with new ditch and stock fencing.
Restored grazing marsh, with new ditch and stock fencing.
Portland stone yardmaker marking the firing positions of former artillery ranges.
Portland stone yardmaker records firing position of former artillery ranges | typography by Studio Frith.
New path signage fabricated from weathering steel with cutout lettering
New path signage | weathering steel with cutout lettering | typography by Studio Frith.