Restoration breathes new life into Tyne tributary

A project to restore a section of a River Tyne tributary has been completed.

Work has been carried out on an area of the Tipalt Burn near Haltwhistle, Northumberland, reconnecting it to its floodplain and restoring vital habitats. 

Led by Tyne Rivers Trust in collaboration with Forestry England, the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water, the project aims to improve water quality and enhance ecosystems. 

The £120,000 initiative, which began in 2023 and concluded in November 2024, addresses the historic damage caused by dredging and straightening of the watercourse.

Funding was provided through the Environment Agency’s Water Environment Improvement Fund and Northumbrian Water’s South Tyne Holistic Water Management fund.

Jack Bloomer, Tyne Rivers Trust's chief scientist and technical director, said: “We've worked with nature to restore the Tipalt Burn to how it used to be. 

“We have put trees in and reconnected old channels, as well as constructing ponds and wetlands. 

“This will mean water will flow out of the site much more slowly, reducing flood risk downstream and improving water quality.

“The restoration of natural features will have major benefits for aquatic species including Atlantic salmon and brown trout, as well as an array of other species that rely on these waters both in the river and on the wetlands.”  

Susan Mackirdy, Northumbrian Water catchment team leader, added: “We were delighted to support this project as part of our five-year South Tyne Holistic Water Management project. 

“River restoration schemes like these have great benefits for water quality and wildlife. 

“The water quality improvements translate into savings for our customers because good quality water needs less treatment to bring it to drinking water standard, and that means it costs less to treat water before we send it to customers.”

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