Tyne Catchment Partnership

Catchment partnership vision

Hosted by Tyne Rivers Trust, The Tyne Catchment Partnership (TCP) is represented by over 20 organisations, from statutory agencies, industry, commerce and charities. The partnership influences and supports decisions to manage our complex catchment and the rivers flowing through it, from Kielder Forest and the metal mining legacy of the South Tyne to urban ‘Tyneside’, sustainably using integrated holistic approaches to the benefit of people, wildlife and habitat alike. Whilst TCP works at a strategic level facilitating knowledge-transfer and candid communication the sub-catchment partnerships focus on achieving substantive, long-term tangible benefits on the ground. Our local councils have declared a Climate Emergency and as such we strive for climate change resilience, biodiversity and social net gain with the absolute value of nature-based solutions at the heart of delivery to balance the function of the catchment to provide for and protect all of its inhabitants.

Ray McIver

Related websites

Find out more about the activities and ambitions of this catchment partnership and how you can get involved to help improve the water environment in the catchment.

Catchment challenges

Current challenges identified by partnership

  • Pollution from towns, cities and transport

    Densification of housing, commerce and infrastructure adds to the pressure, improved planning requirements needed

  • Pollution from waste water

    Review storm overflows licence; more support for Northumbrian Water Group Bin the Wipe campaign

  • Physical modifications

    Consideration of reservoir releases, daylighting of River Team, removal of barriers for the iconic Atlantic salmon

Wider water environment challenges identified by partnership

  • Support Nature Recovery Network and Local Nature Recovery Strategy

    Ensure we deliver effective, efficient, and future proof benefits for the Tyne we must work together on an integrated catchment to coast approach

  • Reduce storm overflows and drainage system incidents

    Recurrent problems with flooding around our urban rivers and the associated pollution poses significant problems for people and the environment

  • Protect and restore healthy soils and nutrient balance

    Land management practices are degrading the aquatic ecosystem, opportunities exist to reduce reliance on external markets and improve farm business

  • Improved bathing waters (including inland)

    The lack of designated bathing water due to current conditions prevents increasing numbers from using the Tyne safely for recreation

  • Removing plastics/litter from the water environment

    Urban sections of the Tyne can be characterised by sewage and plastic litter posing harm to people, environment and negatively impacting the economy

  • Connecting communities with nature

    Some communities are currently disengaged from nature, this disconnect creates a negative impact on the wider water environment

Future challenges predicted by partnership

  • Changes to the natural flow and water levels

  • Pollution from towns, cities and transport

  • Pollution from waste water

Future challenges predicted by Environment Agency

Future challenges in 2050

  • Invasive Non-native Species
  • Physical Modifications
  • Pollution from Towns Cities and Transport

Emerging challenges

  • Pollution from abandoned mines
  • Physical Modifications
  • Pollution from Agriculture and Rural Areas

Partnership success highlights 2016 to 2021

Water and Abandoned Metal Mines (WAMM) project in South Tyne; spoil heaps at abandoned metal mines release metal contaminated sediments that pollute rivers and reduce survival of aquatic species. Log barriers and biodegradable matting now stabilise these heaps, encouraging plant growth and provide a passive long-term solution. There are 18 sites completed with evidence of stabilisation recorded and vegetation has established as hoped. Trees planted elsewhere aids bank stabilisation and shading. this project is part of the ongoing wider WAMM programme, £300k invested since 2016. The work has been supported by fantastic volunteer effort. These enhancements reduce downstream migration of contaminants, providing economic benefit at the estuary where metal contamination severely constrains port dredging activities. Partners; Tyne Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, Coal Authority, North Pennines AONB.
Follingsby Green Infrastructure Zone has created 13ha of priority habitat on arable farmland, buffering River Don from industrial development. there has been 1km of river re-naturalised from a deeply incised straightened channel which includes new meanders, riffles, high flow channels and gentler banks. Input of environmentally damaging agri-chemicals and soil deposition have been removed at this location. New Sustainable Drainage Systems features will manage water flowing from the new industrial site. Partners: Highgrove Group, Gateshead Council, Durham Wildlife Trust, Tyne Rivers Trust, Environment Agency.

Mark Kincey; Rampgill Burn

Partnership development plans

Include representation from industry, farming and academia. Use FCRIP to improve flood protection as well as habitat condition. Use Investment Readiness Funds to rebuild activity and environment sector jobs. Secure long-term funding to permit more expertise capacity and sustainability. Learn from COVID pandemic for climate emergency. Acknowledge the value of locally held data within community groups. Actively include public more in decision-making.

Partnership priority actions and measures for 2022 to 2027

  • Confident

    Enhancement/ no deterioration measures in 2020-2025 Water Industry National Environment Programme

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage point source discharges
    Delivery mechanism
    Confirmed water industry national environment programme 2020-2025
    Location
    Tyne

  • Confident

    Revitalising Redesdale: celebrating and protecting the rich cultural heritage, landscape and wildlife

    Reason for measure
    Manage modified habitats
    Delivery mechanism
    Heritage Lottery Fund
    Location
    Rede

  • Confident

    South Tyne Holistic Water Management Programme, to improve water quality through restoration of connected habitats

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage rural diffuse pollution
    Delivery mechanism
    Confirmed water industry national environment programme 2020-2025
    Location
    South Tyne Upper

  • Confident

    Stabilisation of metal mining waste in South Tyne catchment, continued involvement in WAMM programme

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage point source discharges
    Delivery mechanism
    Coal Authority Mines Programmes
    Location
    Nent from Source to South Tyne South Tyne from Cross Gill to Black Burn (Aleson) South Tyne from Source to Cross Gill

  • Confident

    Tyne Estuary Partnership: Engage developers to naturalise estuary edges and create green/blue infrastructure

    Reason for measure
    Mitigate the impacts on ecology from physical modifications in modified waters
    Delivery mechanism
    Developer funded
    Location
    Tyne Lower and Estuary TraC

  • Confident

    River Team natural flood management scheme

    Reason for measure
    Mitigate the impacts on ecology from physical modifications in modified waters
    Delivery mechanism
    EA Flood/coastal risk management programme
    Location
    Tyne Lower and Estuary

  • Less certain

    Reduction of phosphate and sediment concentration in Roman Wall Loughs, improve surrounding mire habitat

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage rural diffuse pollution
    Delivery mechanism
    Confirmed water industry national environment programme 2020-2025
    Barriers to delivery
    Need to agree delivery of interventions with South Tyne Holistic Water Management programme
    Location
    Crag Lough Brackies Burn to catchment (trib of South Tyne) Greenlee Lough Haltwhistle Burn from Source to South Tyne

  • Less certain

    Mitigate industry pollution in urban catchment, Team, Don, Ouseburn, Derwent

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage urban diffuse pollution
    Delivery mechanism
    WEIF Water Environment Improvement Fund
    Barriers to delivery
    Develop a funding strategy and programme of delivery
    Location
    Tyne Lower and Estuary Derwent Tyne

  • Less certain

    Manage flora and fauna INNS to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage invasive non-native species
    Delivery mechanism
    Other local funding
    Barriers to delivery
    North East INNS Strategy agreed, we will seek funding regionally through the strategic partnership
    Location
    Tyne

  • Less certain

    Mitigation of obstructions for native fish populations

    Reason for measure
    Mitigate the impacts on ecology from physical modifications in modified waters
    Delivery mechanism
    Marine Habitat Restoration/Fisheries Fund
    Barriers to delivery
    Large scale programme within multiple waterbodies, some funding confirmed
    Location
    Tyne

  • Less certain

    Improve Ouseburn water quality; resolve storm overflows, reduce agricultural pollution and protect from developments

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage point source discharges
    Delivery mechanism
    Grant giving trusts and businesses
    Barriers to delivery
    Clarify further opportunities arising from Ouseburn Citizen Jury
    Location
    Ouse Burn from Source to Tyne

  • Less certain

    Gateshead Groundwater Mitigation of flood risk by integrating subsurface information into surface water management systems

    Reason for measure
    Control or manage regulated flows
    Delivery mechanism
    EA Flood/coastal risk management programme
    Barriers to delivery
    Project proposal developed with partners, awaiting news of bid submission
    Location
    Don from Source to Tidal Limit Team from Source to Tyne

Catchment Partnership contributors

Partners involved in the creation of this page and the actions of the partnership: