Ouse Burn Way nature trail plans get £1m boost

The River Ouseburn in Jesmond Dene would form part of the Ouse Burn Way

A £1m fund to support a seven-mile (11km) nature trail through Newcastle and North Tyneside has been launched.

The Ouse Burn Way would stretch from the River Tyne in Ouseburn to Weetslade Country Park and the Letch in Longbenton if completed.

Those involved hope it will "connect communities with nature" and show how urban river pollution could be reduced.

The Reece Foundation, which supports projects in the North East, has opened the fund for trail projects.

It is working with with Northumbrian Water, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council and the Environment Agency on the plans.

'Enhance biodiversity'

There are hopes the "corridor of green space" could be extended into Newcastle Great Park.

Anne Reece, chairwoman of the charity, said: "We are in the middle of a nature crisis and significant climate change.

"The Ouse Burn Way project has the potential to be a major recreational resource by improving the current degradation within the environment whilst also enhancing biodiversity right into the inner city and providing an area of carbon capture and natural cooling for the city.

"The improved safe and sustainable active travel links along the corridor will open access to many people who live in that area and elsewhere on Tyneside. "