Our new film celebrating 10 years of restoring the River Till reveals how nature-based solutions are helping this very special watercourse and its tributaries recover from 300 years of human impact.
The River Till, whose tributaries include the Breamish, Bowmont-Glen and Wooler Water, is of high conservation and ecological importance. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in recognition of its unique habitats and the presence of protected species including otter, Atlantic salmon, river, brook and sea lamprey and floating vegetation such as water crowfoot.
The film was produced in partnership with the Environment Agency and Natural England and explains how historic management of this north Northumbrian river catchment since the 1700s, including river channel straightening and the introduction of weirs, has resulted in significant degradation and classification of the catchment as being in ‘unfavourable condition’. In response to this, the River Till Restoration Strategy was created by the three organisations in 2013, to restore the natural function and processes of the river system using nature-based solutions and working in partnership with local communities, farms and businesses.
Working alongside landowners, farmers and local communities and building on previous local restoration efforts, successes have included the removal of man-made structures, such as weirs on the Lilburn Burn and on the River Glen at Kirknewton. Man-made structures often affect the ability of fish to travel upstream as well as impacting on the natural functioning of a river. A carefully planned floodplain reconnection and floodbank removal scheme on a section of the River Glen is helping to manage flood risk downstream and allow powerful floodwaters to dissipate over a wider area. In addition to this, where infrastructure has required protection, the Strategy delivery team has been using longer-term, green engineering solutions that mimic traditional engineering methods by harnessing the power of nature. Riverbank trees are also being planted as part of a programme to help reduce erosion, improve water quality and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
