The River Till (a tributary of the Tweed) and its main tributaries the Bowmont-Glen, Breamish and Wooler Water are of high conservation and ecological importance (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation).However, the condition of the river has not been as it should be.
The river Breamish at this site had been historically straightened and modified for agricultural purposes with around a mile of natural river channel lost. Restoration work led by the Environment Agency, delivered by Tweed Forum and funded through the LIFE WADER project in close partnership with the Landowners and contractors Aecom and Ebsford, used minimal intervention to reconnect the river to its natural floodplain creating a more natural and resilient mosaic of habitats, while maintaining viable farmland.
The newly reinstated meandering river system, is already bringing huge benefits for wildlife and ecology as well as inspiring neighbouring landowners. Though this really only the start of the story as Tweed Forum Project Manager Phil Kearney puts it “We’ve done this and then nature will shape it, will do the final finessing itself. We’ve created the rough channel and then we’ll let nature do the rest”.
Restoration at this scale is only possible with the full support of the landowners. In this case what was valuable arable land has been released to become floodplain that will also serve now as grazing pasture for livestock. This is a significant step for the landowners, not a decision taken lightly. The proof will be in how the land and the landowners themselves adapt over the long term.
Watch the film for the full story here: A River Set Free
To read more about the River Restoration work click here.
The removal of tonnes of macroalgae from Budle Bay Nature Reserve on the Northumberland Coast has been captured in a short film by the LIFE WADER team. The 4-minute film follows the LIFE WADER team and partners as they trial an innovative, low-impact method of removal.
One of the largest river restoration projects in the UK has commenced in the Breamish Valley, Northumberland. The work will see the reinstatement of the meandering river system, bringing huge benefits for wildlife, ecology and man.
WADER is set to tackle the rapid spread of invasive species which are engulfing the dunes at Bamburgh on the Northumberland Coast. Work will start this month to restore this treasured landscape to its former glory.
