Picture: (L to R) Paul Torday, Trust chairman; Trust member Andrew Davison; Andrew Robins from Launch sponsors Armstrong Watson; Arlin Rickard, National Association of Rivers Trusts and Margaret Fay Chairman from One NorthEast at the Launch at Hexham Racecourse
A NEW environmental trust for the North East has been successfully launched to help in the management of the ecology of the River Tyne.
Local residents, businesses, officials and representatives of recreational organisations gathered at Hexham Racecourse to show their support for the new trust, which aims to work with the local community to promote best practice in managing and improving the River Tyne and its tributaries as well as minimising the environmental impact of construction and pollution.
Children from St Mary & St Thomas Acquinas Primary School in Stella, on the banks of the river, created special artwork for the event after learning about the importance of the river and its environmental issues.
The event, sponsored by local businesses, Armstrong Watson Accountants and Robert Muckles Solicitors, was also attended by key figures from One NorthEast, the Environment Agency, DEFRA and the World Wildlife Fund as well as many charitable organisations in the region.
At the launch, Chairman of the Trust Paul Torday, explained: "We need The Rivers Trust on the Tyne to build on the successes that have already occurred, such as improving water quality and fish stocks and recreational use that has resulted from that.
"The Trust aims to help educate communities in the value of a regions river and to ensure involvement by the wider community in the management and improvement of the river.
"Responsibility for the improvement of the river is something that cannot just be left to Government agencies - they do an excellent job but need support and more resources which the Trust can provide. The Trust can act as a project manager on schemes to improve the habitat for fish, for wildlife and for bird life, and can help to co-ordinate the work of existing initiatives up and down the river"
Margaret Fay, Chairman from One NorthEast also spoke about the importance of a healthy Tyne to a flourishing regional economy and how the River Tyne also provides a tangible link between the urban and rural parts of the region. She also announced that One NorthEast will provide pump priming funding of £30,000 to help the new trust to establish a research based action plan for the river.
Arlin Rickard, Chief Executive of the National Association of Rivers Trusts, spoke about the need for the Rivers Trust locally and the movement nationally and what it has achieved and hopes to achieve. He says: "In each area of the Country where Rivers Trusts have been established they have made an immense contribution to the improvement of the aquatic environment and river basin management for public benefit.
"During my visit to the River Tyne I heard of many water related environmental and conservation issues which need to be tackled, including those linked to water quality in the estuary and ensuring the free passage of migrating fish. I am also heartened to see where those involved with the Trust had already achieved significant improvements through community project partnership activities. The establishment of the Tyne Rivers Trust will help to build on these partnerships, drive new initiatives and ensure hard won improvements are sustained."
Other speakers on the night also included Alistair Balls Director, Northumbrian Water plc, Alistair Maltby, Director of Eden Rivers Trust, and John Hogger from the Environment Agency.
The Tyne Rivers Trust has been established following concern about the enormous pressures put upon natural water resources. Demands from construction work, successive drainage schemes, agriculture and the impact of our industrial heritage have all been taking their toll on the river for years.
The Trust is already working closely with the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA) which is proposing the construction of the new Tyne Crossing between East Howdon and Jarrow and will involve dredging a deep trench across the river.
If the new Tyne Crossing receives the go-ahead, the TWPTA will fund the Trust to carry out work on the river to compensate for any damage done to fish stocks as a result of the construction works.
