Clean break for the Tyne
SOLUTION FOUND AFTER FUNDING BLOW
BOSSES at the Port of Tyne have moved to allay fears that debris could be left floating down the River Tyne.
A project set up to keep the Tyne clean has been given a reprieve, despite its local authority funding being axed.
Set up 20 years ago between the four councils of Gateshead, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside and the Port of Tyne, the Clean Tyne Project removes debris from the river and improves the water quality.
It works to remove around 400 tonnes of debris from the river between Blaydon and the North Sea piers each year.
Last year, discarded Mobikes that had been dumped in the Tyne were fished out by the Clearwater, its specialist river clearing vessel.
South Tyneside decided to end its funding for the project in 2015, followed by Newcastle in 2018 and finally Gateshead and North Tyneside in February.
The Port of Tyne, responsible for the safety of navigation, will take over from Gateshead Council to lead the project and plans to ask all four councils to be involved on a non-financial basis.
Steven Clapperton, Port of Tyne harbour master director of health and safety, environment and marine, said: “For all we are responsible for maintaining only the safety of navigation we hope to be able to drive efficiencies and continue to operate the Clearwater debris collection vessel as effectively as possible.”
The Port will invest around £100,000 in operating costs each year in deploying the Clearwater – removing debris that represents a danger to boats. Gateshead Council withdrew from the Clean Tyne Partnership last year, as part of measures to close its own £29m budget gap.
The authority will transfer assets from the project to the Port of Tyne, including leasing of a temporary storage facility near South Shore Road in Gateshead where collected debris is stored and recycled.
Mr Clapperton said: “We hope to open up discussions with other partners including the Environment Agency and Tyne Rivers Trust to ensure that the Clean Tyne Project remains a valuable initiative long in to the future.” Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne’s chief executive officer, added: “While the Port is not specifically responsible for the cleanliness of the river, its inlets and beaches, the Port places its obligations to stakeholders in providing a vibrant and sustainable port for the benefit of the region very highly.
“It is fantastic news that we have agreed a way forward so we are able to continue to operate the Clearwater, without which the viability of the project was undoubtedly in jeopardy.”
It is fantastic news we have agreed a way forward so we are able to continue to operate the Clearwater Steven Clapperton