Balfour Beatty and United Utilities help clear up River Tyne

May 11 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

MANY hands made light work of a clean-up on the banks of the Tyne.

A group of 20 volunteers removed rubbish and river debris from an area near the Scotswood Bridge at Blaydon.

The group, all workers at Balfour Beatty and United Utilities, joined staff from Gateshead Council for the event organised by the Clean Tyne Project.

The construction and gas firms have been working together to manage a £1.1m programme of gas mains renewal in Blaydon on behalf of gas pipeline operator Northern Gas Networks.

In total, 11km of old metal gas mains will be replaced with modern plastic pipe which should be more durable and will have a lifespan of around 80 years.

Work on the mainly residential project started in Blaydon in January and is expected to end in the summer.

To thank residents for their cooperation during the essential gas works, the two companies decided to put something back into the community and arranged to support the riverside clean-up.

The Clean Tyne Project has been organising its Riverbank Raids since 2003 as part of a drive to improve the quality of the water and environment surrounding the River Tyne.

The project is a partnership between the Port of Tyne, SITA Trust and the river’s bordering council authorities of Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Newcastle which aims to raise public awareness of environmental issues as well as clean up the river.

The event at Blaydon saw the equivalent of about 30 wheelie bin loads of plastic, industrial debris and driftwood removed.

The Clean Tyne Project’s debris collection boat the Clearwater was on hand to help to remove larger items such as tree trunks. Everyone who took part was issued with protective clothing and given extensive health and safety briefings.

Jodie Coe, performance manager for Sunderland-based Balfour Beatty, was delighted with the effort put in by her colleagues in the gas business.

She said: “In such a short period of time, the riverside has been transformed making it a really pleasant environment for the people of Blaydon to enjoy. This has been a really worthwhile event.”

Organisations and companies who wish to take part in future events should contact Keith Newman on 07814 397 951 or visit www.cleantyne.org.uk

Page 2 - Businesses given a free ride to cut their waste >>