A new £4.5 million project has seen the return of the tide for the first time in over 200 years following completion of the Environment Agency’s Greatham Marsh Restoration Scheme in Hartlepool.
Environment Agency image: Greatham Marsh at a regular tide following restoration works
The Environment Agency, working in partnership with The Greatham Foundation and Northumbrian Water, has restored the original course of Greatham Beck and removed a tidal barrier, allowing the tide to return to an area won from the sea over 200 years ago.
This new section is part of the wider £30 million Tees Tidelands Programme that aims to realign flood defences, restore intertidal and river habitats, and reconnect tributaries and local communities with the estuary.
The restoration project
The project has seen the beck restored to its original course, filled in about 50 years ago. Sections of old flood bank were removed together with a tidal sluice that was no longer required. This allows coastal saltmarsh to re-establish through natural processes to provide valuable wetland habitats for wildlife.
The work will enable restoration of 21.3 hectares of coastal saltmarsh, mudflat, and high tide roosts, providing crucial habitat for internationally important species including curlews and avocets.
The restoration will also improve water quality and strengthen the area’s resilience to climate change and sea level rise.
Following the successful construction, native hedgerow will be planted on site alongside hedgerow enhancement and tree planting. Some 9 hectares of neutral grassland will also be sown.
Tidal structure before the restoration works. Credit: Environment Agency
It will also remove flood defences that are no longer required, helping the Environment Agency to focus its resources on maintaining defences that protect people or property.
The site of the tidal sluice following its removal. Credit: Environment Agency.
Matthew Rountree, Environment Agency Project Manager, said:
“This project enables the restoration of a large area of coastal saltmarsh on the Tees Estuary through natural processes. The area will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and capture hundreds of tonnes of carbon each year.
“By allowing Greatham Beck to return to its natural form, we are restoring balance to the estuary and allowing the tide to return to areas lost to development. It also enables migratory fish to return after decades of absence.
“Our next steps are seeding the intended grassland and planting 1.7km of species-rich native hedgerow and ecologically valuable treeline.”
Richard Warneford, Wastewater Director at Northumbrian Water, added:
“The benefits from this scheme are significant and diverse, but ultimately great news for the environment and a real boost for the Tees.
“Playing a role in helping make the Greatham Marsh Restoration Scheme a reality is part of our wider commitment to supporting improvements for the Tees Estuary through direct investment and engagement with wider partnership working.”
The Environment Agency has worked with partners on Greatham Marsh Restoration, including The Greatham Foundation (landowners), BAM Nuttall (contractors), JBA Consulting (designers), Turner & Townsend (project management support), and Northumbrian Water (financial contributors).
Northumbrian Water has contributed £2.086 million towards the Greatham Marsh project to investigate the nutrient reduction benefits of the scheme’s approach.
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