The Skerne (River
Restoration Project)
|
The River Restoration Project (1994 -1998) The River Restoration Project was set up in 1994 with the main aim of establishing demonstration projects which showed how state of the art restoration techniques could be used to re-create natural ecosystems in damaged river corridors. 3 demonstration projects were set up, funded by European Union LIFE money. These were the Rivers Skerne and Cole in the UK and the River Brede in Denmark. The rural River Cole and the urban River Skerne have been restored over a 2 km reach, and were completed in 1996. Approximately 10km of the rural River Brede was restored in Denmark. |
River Skerne - County Durham
The
site is located in the town of Darlington, County Durham and demonstrates
what can be achieved in an urban environment. The Skerne has been straightened
and enlarged to reduce flooding and to drain the surrounding urban area.
Much of the floodplain has been raised by old industrial waste tipping,
with gas and sewer pipes running alongside the river. As a result of these
constraints, restoration opportunities were severely limited - typical
of urban rivers elsewhere.
A 2km length of the river has been restored. Four new
meanders have been 
formed
in a remaining section of floodplain used as open parkland. The excess
soil was used to landscape nearby steep slopes. Riverbanks have been strengthened
with willow and reeds to prevent erosion. Thirteen ugly surface water
outfalls have been replaced with underground inspection /collection chambers
that firstly intercept pollution and then discharge the water into the
river below water level.
Elsewhere,
where the river could not be re-meandered, it has been enhanced by reshaping
and narrowing the bed to vary the flow and to allow riverside plants to
flourish. New footpaths and planting schemes complete the theme of "bringing
the countryside into town", which locally has been greatly appreciated.
Though now over 2 years since its completion ceremony the River Skerne is still attracting much attention. In 1999 it received the following awards:·
Click here to view a summary full colour brochure of the Skerne demonstration project on-line (530KB)
There is also available a Manual of River Restoration
Techniques
providing technical information on the techniques used on the Cole and
Skerne demonstration projects and an 
accompanying
video, 'Rivers of the Future' which allows you to view the restoration
work for yourself.