20
Essex stretched from what is now the Royal
Docks area in Newham, all the way to what is
now Southend. The intervening 200 years have
seen many industrial developments along this
part of Thameside. Some 83%. (at least) of
Inner-Thames grazing marsh has been lost in one
way or another.
5. One of the beauties of the Rainham,
Wennington, Aveley complex is its large area.
Such a development would destroy areas of
wildlife interest and fragment the remainder.
The fragmentation of habitat has been a great
problem for British wildlife.
6. I have recently heard of another proposed
development at Barking Reach (West of Rainham).
It could be argued that the area is being
over-developed; people (as well as the
wildlife we share this planet with) need such
open spaces. Even if they don't physically
use them it is important to know they exist.
Barking Reach - Planned Development
Mr. D. J. Vickers of the Barking Reach Action
Group has written to the Field Club expressing
concern about developments at Barking. An
area of about 800 acres is apparently to be
developed. As Rainham, this area was
originally Thames grazing marsh.
Further information can be obtained from
Mr. D. J. Vickers, Barking Reach Action Group,
26 Wheelers Cross, Barking, Essex, IG11 7EE.
MARK HANSON