Restoration of river bank saltmarshes begins

Two people in red overalls - with very big wellies - are creating a barrier between the water of the river and the shoreline. They are placing thick sticks vertically in the water and will fill in the gaps between them with bundles of sticks. The aim is to allow mud to build up along the shoreline, without it being washed away by the current and waves.

Image source, Groundwork North East and CumbriaImage caption,

Saltmarshes are being restored along the River Tyne by an environmental charity

Published42 minutes ago

Work to restore saltmarshes on the banks of the Tyne has started.

Marshes will be created along a stretch of Newburn Riverside in Newcastle by the environmental charity Groundwork North East and Cumbria.

The charity said it would improve water quality and biodiversity, as well as help tackle climate change.

Nature-based solutions lead Hellen Hornby said: "We have had some great success with other saltmarsh restoration projects in the region and are confident the Newburn site will deliver similar positive results."

A close-up photo of the stick bundles which are being used in the project.

Image source, Groundwork North East and CumbriaImage caption,

The chartiy said it would improve water quality and biodiversity, as well as help tackle climate change

More than 85% of the UK's saltmarsh habitat has been lost through "centuries" of industialisaiton, the charity said, which stripped away the muddy banks and altered the flow and speed of the river.

The project has been jointly funded by the Environment Agency and NatWest Group.

The habitat will be created by installing low barriers made out of materials like sticks in the water near the shoreline, to help mud build up and encourage plants to grow.

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