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Value of recreation study

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Socio-economic value of water-based recreation

As described in our Strategic Action Plan, a key issue for the Trust is the identification of the true value of the Tyne Catchment to those who use it. Having obtained funding from the Environment Agency's, Northumbria Flood Defence committee we were able to engage Caledonian Economics and Nevin Associates to carry out an initial socio-economic study. Caledonian Economics have previously evaluated the value of angling on the Tweed and the Alnwick Garden's value for tourism.

The scoping study was completed with input from One NorthEast, the Tyne Riparian Owners and Occupiers Association, Tynedale District Council, Kielder Partnership, Gateshead Council, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Port of Tyne, Haydon Bridge Flood Group, The Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University and Northumberland County Council.

The purpose of the scoping study was to determine how best to assess the benefits of the Tyne to the economy of the North-East, and to uncover potential initiatives that could further enhance these benefits. The completion of this initial work means that we now have an accurate idea of the scale of the full research and how much it is likely to cost.

We are currently raising funds to commission the full scale research which, in turn, will be used to provide supporting evidence to assist funding applications and prioritisation of practical improvement projects. Such a comprehensive study has never before been attempted and, once completed, this will be another first for the Trust and the UK.

If you or your organisation would be interested in supporting this work please contact us.