Two-and-a-half tonnes of rubbish found in stream clean-up

Feb 23 2008 by Liz Hands, The Journal

GREEN wardens had a gut feeling that they had their work cut out as they set off to clean out a Tyneside stream.

And they were right – for in one and a half days they pulled an astonishing two-and-a-half tonnes of metal objects from a quarter-of-a-mile tidal stretch of the Willington Gut waterway in North Tyneside.

The tributary of the Tyne, where the Wallsend Burn passed through Willington Quay, gave up 20 shopping trolleys, 25 assorted bikes, a variety of chairs including a wheelchair, washing machines, and even a three-wheeler go kart.

A winch had to be used to lift the bigger items out of the silt, with the material being collected by a scrap metal merchant.

Then the North Tyneside Council team of Richie Barnes, Chris Dominiczak and William Nilan removed another half a tonne of smaller items, including 20 tyres and traffic cones.

They still have around another 20 tyres to take out of the Gut.

The operation is part of North Tyneside Council’s Big Spring Clean initiative and Dave McGarr, cabinet member for the environment, said: “This is a great example of how effective the Big Spring Clean can be.

“A member of the public spotted a problem, reported it to us and our team has then done a tremendous job cleaning the area.”

Richie said: “It was a real eyesore and what came out was unbelievable. It left us wondering where all the trolleys and bikes had come from.

“The clean-up has had a big impact, for people who use the footpath alongside the burn for walks and for wildlife, like the kingfisher we saw flying up and down. We had nothing but positive comments.”