Tyne Tunnel

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Second Tyne Crossing (TT2)

The proposed construction of a second Tyne Tunnel in the Estuary between Jarrow and Howdon was one of the triggers for the formation of the Tyne Rivers Trust. As part of the mitigation settlement between the Tyne Riparian Owners and Occupiers Association (TROOA) and the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA) the Trust will build a new fish pass at Hexham and carry out £250,000 worth of Habitat Improvement works in the Tyne Catchment. The aim of this work is to reinforce and increase the existing salmon and sea trout populations making them more able to survive any negative impacts of the construction work in the Estuary.

In addition to this work the TWPTA and Environment Agency are funding other mitigation measures such as stocking additional fish into the catchment from Kielder Hatchery, monitoring fish movements and water quality in the estuary. This package of measures, when coupled with a strict construction window, should significantly reduce the risk to migrating salmonids from this major development.

New Tyne Crossing

Mitigation Agreement and monitoring

As part of the agreement to build the second Tyne crossing the Tyne Riparian Owners and Occupiers Association (TROOA) and the Environment Agency arranged separate but linked mitigation agreements designed to monitor and mitigate for the effects of the tunnel construction on the river.

In May 2009 a request was made to change the dredging method and dredging window. Tyne Rivers Trust organised a consultation on the proposed changes and subsequently met with TT2, EA and TROOA towards reaching a sensible agreement.

Click on the links below to find out more about the changes proposed, a question and answer document from the EA and to read the analysis of the consultation.

Explanatory letter from the TRT Chairman

EA Q&A document

consultation analysis

Following the counsultation a slight shift in the dredging window was permitted due to the change in dredging method. Increased monitoring of water quality was imposed with the requirement to stop should any adverse conditions be detected.

Due to delivery and operational issues the cutter suction dredger 'Vesalius' commenced dredging in the River Tyne on 9th Nov 2009, back within the original window but still with additional monitoring. By 25th Nov approximately half of the anticipated volume of material to be dredged had been removed from the river be and transferred, via an installed pipeline, to simultaneously infill the Tyne Dock.

The dredger began its work by removing the material from the South bank area that was shown to have higher levels of historic contaminants than the remainder of the trench volume. The transfer of this material was to the bottom of the Tyne Dock with no visible plumes created in the river. The required continual monitoring using 5 water quality buoys showed full compliance wit the limits imposed by the EA. Subsequent dredged cleaner material has provided an effective capping and sealingof this material.

The dredger has removed material reaching the mudstones and a depth of 23m on the South side. Deeper excavation was completed in 30th Nov, when lower spring tides allow the dredger to reach the required depth.

The continual water quality monitoring has shown negligible impact between the river quality upstream and downstream of the dredging.

It is anticipated that the dredge should be completed before Christmas 2009.

Picture taken from the south bank adjacent to the pedestrian tunnel entrance, showing business end of the dredger. The orange and yellow floats to the right are the floating pipeline that brings the arisings ashore and transfers them to the Tyne Dock.

Follow the links below for more related information

THIS-GIS
Cefas tracking research on the River Tyne - Report January 2008
Environment Agency - NE fisheries section (including Riding Mill Fish Counter)

Hexham Fish Pass

The Trust will use funding made available by the construction of the second Tyne Tunnel to carry out an exceptional project to improve fish passage over the weir at Hexham by designing and constructing a new fish pass. Opportunities to add value to such a fish pass will be explored and may include viewing/education area (providing an ideal central point in the Tyne Catchment for disseminating wildlife, recreation and educational information, as well as giving people of all ages the opportunity to experience the life of the river first-hand) and links to the redevelopment of the Tyne Green Country Park.

For more information see the project page.