River Tees estuary flooding and wildlife schemes launched
- Published
Some of the work will be carried out in the Greatham area of Teesside
A multimillion-pound set of projects to improve a north of England estuary have been launched.
The £30m Tees Tidelands programme aims to restore natural habitats in the Tees Estuary while reducing flood risk.
Tidal habitats such as saltmarshes and mudflats will be reinstated, with river tributaries opened to allow tidal influence and fish migration.
Environment Agency (EA) regional senior advisor Phil Marshall said the project would also support the economy.
"Tees Tidelands will help to safeguard the future economic prosperity of Teesside in a way that enhances the environment," he said.
"Allowing the estuary to realign with its natural tidal cycle will create the correct conditions for wildlife to thrive."
Areas of the estuary have been lost as industrial complexes encroached upon the land over the past 200 years, the EA said.
This has had an impact on the natural environment, while flood defences built to protect those complexes are old and difficult to maintain, it added.
About 90% of the intertidal habitat has been lost and the scheme will remove tidal barriers in the hope migratory fish will return.
Tidal barriers will be opened up as part of the scheme
The programme will also realign flood defences to reduce the risk to homes and businesses,
Work will be carried out near Greatham, Port Clarence, Portrack, along the banks of the River Tees and in rivers such as Lustrum Beck, Ormesby Beck and Billingham Beck.
Stockton Council leader Bob Cook said the works would "increase resilience to flooding" and support the authority's environmental and carbon reduction strategies.
"Once complete they will further protect residents' homes and businesses as well as attract wildlife to thrive and the community to enjoy," he said.
Habitats and species remaining in the estuary are internationally recognised and protected.
The programme is a partnership between the EA, Stockton Borough Council, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Canal & River Trust, Teesside Environmental Trust, Tees Rivers Trust, Natural England and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.
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