Darlington Brinkburn Pond sees dead fish, algae and plastic bags

The beauty spot at Brinkburn Pond Nature Reserve on Hartington Way has been left plagued by green-coloured algae, plastic bottles, plastic bags - and even dead fish.

Those fed up of seeing the pond in its current state described their anger as they said were "nagging" to get the pond returned to its former glory.

Lesley Ross, from Darlington, explained how an attempt at cleaning it up had been “quite an ordeal" and is “getting slightly better," but called for further action.

Brinkburn Pond Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Brinkburn Pond Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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She said: “We've worked a little bit with Durham Wildlife Trust last year, cleaned the duckweed a couple of times, but it just ended up back."

Ms Ross and her volunteers have been returning to the pond every weekend for the past month in a bid clean up the water.

The area was once used as a fishing spot, however, has become a nature reserve and is normally popular with dog walkers and residents.

She said: “We've started nagging at councillors again, at Durham Wildlife again, because it’s a big pond for such few volunteers to take on.”

Talks about the pond between Durham Wildlife Trust and Darlington Borough Council took place last year when the problem appeared to be starting, and there has been further talks following new concerns.

But Ms Ross claimed that although “things are being discussed as to what’s going to happen” they fear that “nothing has really been done as yet.”

A sign up near the pond Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A group has since been created, named the Brinkburn community volunteers, to help clear the pond.

Ms Ross said: “The amount of volunteers we get varies, we stick it on our Facebook page and we get between five and 10 people, but it’s mainly five or six of us.

“We have been told by Durham Wildlife that starting from next Saturday, they are going to come with some of their volunteers and start some of the major work that needs doing.

“We have been shouting a lot and I think everyone realises that it does need something doing.”

Darlington MP Peter Gibson attended the pond on Saturday and helped volunteers clean up.

Brinkburn Pond Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Brinkburn Pond Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

In a statement on Facebook the MP said the clean was “coming along well” but there “is still much more to do.”

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Ms Ross added: “It’s so sad because it’s a lovely asset to the area, even going away from us starting last year, if you look over the history of the pond there’s been work promised years ago.”

Speaking about the clean-up, she said they have had “all sorts come out of the pond” including bikes, metal posts, and concrete posts.

She added: “To be honest that stuff has been in a long time that we fish out, but regularly we are fishing out bottles from the kids that go along there drinking.

“I think the saddest thing we’ve pulled out is the dead fish, I’m not a fisherman, but we’ve had volunteers who know their stuff said some of the things they’ve pulled out must have been 10 to 12 years old, the size that they were.”

Mark Dinning, head of conservation at Durham Wildlife Trust said he was “very grateful for the support of local volunteers.”

He added: “To support Darlington Borough Council, over recent months we have spent time getting to understand the concerns of people who live close to and enjoy visiting Brinkburn Pond.

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“We will be implementing wetland management over winter which we hope will address the natural factors that have contributed to the pond’s decline and will continue to carry out regular litter picks and warden checks of the area.

“We are very grateful for the support of local volunteers and are delighted that our Nextdoor Nature Project Officer, Tom Parkin, will provide a crucial link between residents and Durham Wildlife Trust during the ongoing work at this wild space.”

Andy Keir, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services, said: “Durham Wildlife Trust has employed an officer to work with the council, ward councillors and residents to clear up the area and they have drawn up a plan of action which has been advertised in the area.

“We are committed to working with and supporting Durham Wildlife Trust with their work which will include cutting back plants and trees around the pond and removing pennywort and duckweed.

"We also support them in any funding bids to make further improvements to the area.”

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