Huge clean-up and restoration project for Ouseburn river takes major step forward

A bid to reduce sewage overflow spills into the river, bring back wildlife species, repair derelict buildings, and create new walking and cycling routes was first unveiled in 2023.

The ‘Ouse Burn Way’ project was launched by the Reece Foundation, who pledged an initial £1 million towards the scheme having earlier funded a study which revealed the amount of raw sewage in the river posed a “significant risk” to anyone swimming in it.

Newcastle and North Tyneside councils, the Environment Agency, and Northumbrian Water have come on board to back the initiative, which hopes to transform a seven-mile stretch of river running from Longbenton, Weetslade, and the Great Park through to Jesmond Dene and the Lower Ouseburn Valley.

The wide-ranging improvement strategy was formally endorsed by Newcastle City Council’s cabinet this week, with the authority also agreeing to take responsibility for the sustainable travel and connectivity aspects of the plan.

Labour councillor Juna Sathian, the council’s cabinet member for climate and transport, called it a “major opportunity to improve one of our city’s most valued natural assets”.

Attention will now turn to implementing measures aimed at creating a cleaner, greener and more accessible river.

Among the interventions included in the strategy are:

• £14 million works to reduce sewer overflow spills, planned to begin in North Tyneside in 2027;
• Reintroducing water voles into the Ouseburn and restoring its fish populations;
• Opening a new Gosforth Nature Park on farmland south of the Gosforth Nature Reserve;
• Development of a Jesmond Dene Masterplan – including improved maintenance, and redevelopment of the Fisherman’s Lodge and Banqueting Hall;
• The provision of a clearly waymarked walking route running from the Tyne to Weetslade County Park, with spurs to Great Park/Woolsington and Longbenton/ Killingworth;
• The creation of a “coherent, high-quality” cycle and wheeling route running the length of the river, estimated to cost up to £15 million, which it is hoped could become nationally significant as it would provide a link on the National Cycle Network between the Reivers Way and the Coast to Coast route;
• Improved signage and routes from Shieldfield, Byker, Longbenton and Killingworth where residents “do not always perceive themselves” as being able to access the Ouseburn.

City council leader Karen Kilgour said: “This is very exciting. It is about regenerating an amazing part of Newcastle, enhancing nature and our local environment.”

Anne Reece, chair of the Ouse Burn Way Project Board, added: “Cabinet’s endorsement provides a strong foundation for growth and investment guided by a shared vision centred on people, nature and place.

“This is about making sure change in the Ouse Burn area happens in a way that benefits both current and future communities.

“This approval enables partners to move forward with confidence as work progresses into the next phase.”