The following story was an April Fool’s day story! Rest assured, there are no plans to extend Burnham’s jetty at the moment…
Burnham-On-Sea’s jetty could be extended across the river estuary to create a new tourist route onto Stert Island.
The controversial new plans are due to be unveiled this month and will see the lengthening of the jetty by almost 1km.
The roadway would run across the top of a concrete bridge, allowing the tide to run in and out, and boats to sail through through the arches underneath.
It would enable walkers and cyclists to reach the sandy wildlife haven opposite Burnham for the first time in many years.
“Stert Island has long fascinated people walking along Burnham’s seafront because it currrently cannot be reached it all,” said developer Mike O’Hara from ‘Coastal Road Enterprises’, which is planning similar schemes around Europe’s coastline to open up cut-off land to the public.
“Burnham-On-Sea’s jetty is in good condition and we are therefore proposing lengthening the jetty roadway, and creating a new bridge across the estuary, to reach the island so that people can see the wildlife and experience the wonderful views towards Hinkley Point.”
“Since high winds and high tides could make the new road dangerous at certain times of the year, we’ll also be introducing secure gates to control access and allow a small toll charge to be collected for those wanting to go across.”
It’s hoped that the path could link up with the England Coast Path and the soon-to-be extended cycle path running from Weston to Burnham.
Cyclists and walkers currently have already welcomed the scheme.
However, Natural England, the government’s adviser on nature and landscapes, is understood not to have given its approval to the scheme yet. Other wildlife groups are likely to raise concerns given Stert Island’s status as an environmental haven.
