Ranting about Rivers

A Talk About Northumberland’s Rivers by Steve Lowe

October 17th 2023

Steve Lowe from the Northumberland Rivers Trust is a chartered environmentalist and was formerly Head of Conservation for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. He is also Volunteer and Events Co-ordinator at Cresswell Pele Tower, is a government appointee to the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority and chair of ERIC (North East).

Reason for Rant – we still have the same problems with rivers as 40 years ago. While funding to clean up has been provided, other work which is detrimental to rivers has also been funded.

Northumberland Rivers Trust – is a small charitable organisation set up 12 years ago. Covers all Northumberland rivers and their catchments, except for Tyne and Tweed. Works with a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities. The Coquet is an important river nationally and internationally, and an SSSI. Work includes the coast as well as the river catchment.

Problems/Issues (in no particular order):

  • New farming rules for water not enforced.
  • Nutrient neutrality not happening.
  • Post Brexit arrangements not in place.
  • Water: too much or too little, wrong type in the wrong place.
  • Loss of capacity to store water underground – drains away too quickly.
  • Detrimental farming practices – e.g. nutrient runoff, sheep/cattle not fenced off from rivers (leading to pollution and collapse of banks).
  • Invasive species – Himalayan Balsom, Giant Hogweed, American Signal Crayfish; decline in native species.
  • Sewage mismanagement.
  • Straightening and deepening of water courses, plus over-tidiness.
  • Over extraction.
  • Barriers to fish.
  • Sense of entitlement by public about how to behave around rivers (e.g. off-road vehicles).
  • Industrial Legacy – mine water.

Ways to address these:

  • Education and learning
  • Skills and Jobs
  • Action and campaigning

More specifically:

  • Encouraging good farming practice (many farmers are trying to do this right)
  • Allowing rivers to function naturally
  • Tree planting
  • Report invasive species to Rivers Trust
  • Northumberland Zoo noted for developing wetland area and restoring watercourse.

Local Rivers

Most of Northumberland’s rivers, including the Coquet catchment are of poor quality.

Locally, the Swarland and Hazon burns were highlighted as being of poor quality.

In his opinion, Steve noted that statutory bodies are underfunded and ineffective, and progress is hampered by red tape and bureaucracy.

The importance of communities and a community voice in achieving action was stressed.

Contact Details:

Steve Lowe, Northumberland Rivers Catchment Co-ordinator.
Stevelowe01@zoho.com
Mobile: 07941 734736