WORK will start this month to repair a heavily eroded section of a riverbank in the North-East, which involves moving fish out of the river. 

The bank of the River South Tyne, in Northumberland, is not a formal flood defence but if further erosion occurs, it could impact the riverside footpath and gardens to the rear of Rocksprings Crescent as well as flood defences further downstream.

The work, downstream of the road bridge in Haydon Bridge, will involve strengthening the riverbank below the riverside footpath and then re-planting it with trees to further stabilise it.

Precautions are being taken to minimise disruption to the local environment and fish will be removed from the affected area before the work takes place.

Tom Pitman, Environment Agency Project Manager, said: "Repairing this section of eroded riverbank will reduce flood risk to the neighbouring footpath and gardens and protect flood defences downstream.

"The restricted access to the area means much of the repair work will have to be done from within the river. This presents a risk to our team, who may need to pause work when river levels are high.

"We’ll also take precautions to minimise disruption to the local environment. Fish will be safely removed from the affected area prior to the work taking place and fish passage will be maintained at all times."

The Environment Agency expects the repair work to be completed by the summer if weather conditions remain fair.