The current emphasis is on facilitating works for the barrage and concerns obtaining the required statutory permissions. This involves a complex legal process and the correct route for obtaining permission is through a Transport and Works Act (TWA) Order. The Council are to consider a recommendation to submit the TWA Order application. The proposed date for submission is mid September.
Entec UK Limited have completed a draft Environmental Statement (ES) which considers all the potential environmental impacts of the proposed barrage including socio-economic, townscape, heritage, recreation and amenity, traffic, hydrology, ecology and bio-diversity. A flood risk model was completed in July; findings are currently being considered by the Environment Agency. A sedimentation analysis has also been completed and this indicates that the proposed barrage will have little impact on current sedimentation levels. Options for sedimentation management have been considered and presented to Newcastle Motor Boat Club for consideration and comment.
Substantial progress has been made on the detailed design of the barrage. This includes a plan of the general arrangements, elevations of the gates, barrage sections through the river, extent of required river wall repairs and mooring details. Meetings have taken place with Dan Archer, the barrage design competition winning artist, to see how his proposals can be integrated as far as possible into the final design.
Consultation on the proposed barrage has been ongoing since the initial Economic Appraisal and Environmental Scoping Report. The Secretary of State will undertake statutory consultations following submission of the TWA Order application and interested parties, including members of the public, will have an opportunity to formally comment on the proposals and make representations. A River Users Forum is being established and a number of different water sports and recreational organisations have been contacted with an invitation to join the forum.
The PURE Ouseburn ‘against the flow’ and ‘with the flow’ cycle rides have taken place and proved very popular. A leaflet for five guided walks during the summer along key sections of the river, was produced and placed in libraries and other community facilities. It is intended to run these events again next year and produce a booklet about the walks.
Lara Baker - Planning Officer (River Ouseburn) tel 0191 230 3929
Email Lara.baker@newcastle.gov.uk