AN MP has stepped up her campaign to clear up the "disgraceful state" of the River Wear in Durham following growing residents' concerns over the "lack of progress”.

City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy said she has raised the "deteriorating condition" of the weirs in the city, and the large build-up of rubbish trapped along them with the Environment Agency, Durham County Council and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Despite being informed in Autumn 2021 and spring this year that the council was seeking a license from the Environment Agency to carry out the work, she said no progress has seemingly been made.The Northern Echo: The River Wear in Durham The River Wear in Durham

The MP has written the council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood and climate change Cllr Mark Wilkes, calling for concrete progress to clear up the "eyesore in the heart of the city’s World Heritage Site".

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Ms Kelly Foy said she was “appalled” during a recent volunteer litter pick at amount of plastic waste and unsightly green algae in the river and accumulation of debris in the weirs.

She said “Over the past 12 months I have been regularly contacted about the worsening condition of river.

“As the city’s MP I have to date raised this matter with every level of Government and agencies responsible for the health of our rivers- but sadly little progress appears to have been made. I cannot recall seeing the river’s weirs in particular being this cluttered in my lifetime."

Alan Patrickson, Durham County Council’s director of neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We have a beautiful walk along our river with iconic views of the city and its historic landmarks, and we are committed to ensuring it remains a clean, tidy, attractive, and enjoyable place for residents and visitors.

The Northern Echo: Green algae growing in the River Wear Green algae growing in the River Wear

“While the responsibility for sewage lies with Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency, our Clean and Green Team carry out daily litter picks along the riverbanks, and a monthly cleanse of the river using long handled nets and collection by volunteers utilising boats.

“While we appreciate the vegetation at Framwellgate Weir is unsightly to some, the conditions have attracted an otter which is relatively rare in a city centre location.

"As a result we are doing everything we can to ensure we manage the area in a way that balances its appearance with respecting habitats."

He added: “We are currently working with an ecologist to progress a licence from Natural England to remove debris from the weir while also providing suitable mitigating measures to protect our valuable wildlife.The Northern Echo:

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"Approval for this is anticipated next month, with works planned to take place from October using specialist diving teams.”

A spokesperson for Northumbrian Water said: “While it is important to recognise there are historic shortcomings in the system and increased expectations on river health, we are committed to playing our part in improving our region’s rivers by working with our partners such as the Wear Rivers Trust and our regulators the Environment Agency.

“Real progress is being made in improving monitoring, cutting pollutions and increasing transparency.

“We have invested heavily in upgrades to our wastewater network in the last two decades and beyond, which have played an important part in these results, and we continue to do so.

"More than £80 million of investment is targeted towards improvements related to storm overflows in our current 2020-25 operating period.

“It is important to note, however, that many things affect river water quality, our operations being only a part of that, alongside factors such as highways and farming.

Lib Dem Cllor Wilkes said the weir is in poor condition and at risk of further damage because of "past Labour inaction keeping it clear".

He said that once the council has approval for a new otter feeding and resting point the weir would be cleared.

He added: "We have started the first ever major deep clean of our city.  Our excellent staff are now regularly using nets to remove rubbish from the river, which didn't happen under Labour."

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