Groundwork NE & Cumbria continues its efforts to revitalise the region’s estuaries thanks to funding from Northumbrian Water and other partners and calls for support to fund the next phase of programme

Environmental and community charity, Groundwork NE & Cumbria is forging ahead with its innovative Nature-based Solutions (NbS) efforts to revitalise the six estuaries of the region.

Revitalising our Estuaries is a major programme for the NbS team at Groundwork NE & Cumbria and includes many innovative projects along the northeast coastline.

In Northumberland, Groundwork NE & Cumbria is celebrating the completion of a project to deliver improvements to a 4.6 km stretch of the River Wansbeck and is looking for funding to continue this important work in the region. To date, the work has been supported by Northumbrian Water through its Bluespaces funding programme, Organon, an independent global healthcare company with a presence in Northumberland and Choppington Parish Council.

The project has focused on the Wansbeck estuary between Sheepwash Weir (near Choppington) and the mouth of the river Wansbeck. With the agreement of

Northumberland County Council, work has also been carried out at Butler’s Wood, Wansbeck Riverside Park, the Wansbeck Barrage and Sandy Bay dunes, all popular recreational areas used by walkers, birdwatchers, canoeists, fishermen, boaters, educational groups and tourists.

Known as the Wansbeck Riparian Corridor Improvement Project, the project built on initial work in the estuary over the last two years, which has created new green jobs and employed 10 young people.

Boardwalks have been installed and footpaths improved to increase access and ensure that routes are attractive, open, and accessible for all, reducing barriers between local communities and the river.

In Wansbeck Riverside Park work has also focused on removing invasive plant species such as Himalayan balsam, whilst giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed has been tackled at several locations along the estuary. Their removal allows native vegetation to grow along the riverbank and in the dunes, boosting the area’s biodiversity.

Specialist contractors were deployed to clear woody debris from the river and remove blockages from fish passes at Sheepwash Weir and the Wansbeck Barrage following winter storms, helping fish move easily upstream once again.

The project complements the Wansbeck Barrage Feasibility Study, delivered by Groundwork NE & Cumbria in association with Northumberland County Council and the Environment Agency to map the depths of water, silt and sediment of the

Wansbeck estuary and associated trialling of lock gate opening to flush sediment from the upper estuary.

There is a wealth of interesting wildlife that will benefit from the work, including native white-clawed crayfish, salmon, redshank and eider that all use the Wansbeck and its tributaries for food and shelter.

There is still work to be done in the area to tackle invasive plants and make further environmental and green space improvements. Groundwork NE & Cumbria would welcome potential funders and supporters to assist with the next phase of their efforts.

For more information on how to support the work, contact Hellen Hornby, NbS Programme Manager E: hellen.hornby@groundwork.org.uk M: 07548223757