Thanks to funding from the Reece Foundation, we are working on a project to improve the water quality of the Ouseburn.
The Ouseburn is an urban river which starts at Callerton near Newcastle airport and flows through Jesmond Dene and the Ouseburn Valley before joining the River Tyne.
We’re starting with repairing and re-enforcing the riverbank to reduce pollution from bankside erosion. We’ll also be working with Ouseburn Farm to help it recycle farmyard waste into fertiliser and reduce run-off into the river.
The project is linked to monitoring work being carried out by Newcastle University so we can measure its impact on water quality downstream.
Ceri Gibson, CEO of Tyne Rivers Trust says: “The Ouseburn has failed to meet water quality standards for some time so it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to do something about it. The practical work we’re going to be doing will help to improve the water quality and habitat of this river, as well as bringing wider benefits to the whole of the Ouseburn community.”
Anne Reece Chair of Reece Foundation added “The Ouseburn runs through some much loved and visited areas including Jesmond Dene but is often dirty and smelly. It could be a wonderful corridor for wildlife through an urban area and a much more enjoyable place to be. The work of Tyne Rivers Trust will be invaluable in achieving this aim.”
