The North Tees Nature Park project aims to address the progressive loss of intertidal habitat in the Tees Estuary due to industrialisation over the past two centuries.
The Tees Estuary, once a thriving ecosystem, has been extensively altered by industrialisation, resulting in the depletion of its intertidal habitats. Today, less than 10% of the original habitats remain intact, highlighting the urgent need for restoration efforts.
Restoring intertidal habitat
Situated in one of the UK's most heavily industrialised estuaries, the Teesside Environmental Trust owns a strip of land along the estuary edge, approximately 1000 m x 100 m in size. This presents a unique opportunity to recreate intertidal habitat by lowering the ground level within the land boundary. AECOM has been commissioned by the Environment Agency to develop an Outline Business Case to appraise options to modify the existing steep slag bank at the edge of the Estuary to create an area of intertidal habitat.
Ground investigation & slag waste
A key component of the project involves conducting a ground investigation to determine ground conditions and the composition of the material to be removed. One of the primary challenges is the presence of slag waste in the ground to be removed, which is likely to be contaminated. This increases material disposal costs. To potentially mitigate this, Teesside Environmental Trust is exploring the possibility of selling the material for reuse. AECOM has included specific testing in the ground investigation to assess whether the material can be reused, which could significantly reduce overall project costs.
Environmental impacts
Terrestrial and intertidal habitat surveys have been conducted to establish a baseline assessment of biodiversity in the area. This enables comparison between the existing terrestrial habitat and the potential intertidal biodiversity gained by lowering the land.
The project includes an assessment of potential effects on water quality within the River Tees, as well as impacts on landscape, cultural heritage, archaeology, and local flora and fauna. Collaborating closely with the Environment Agency, we aim to arrive at a preferred option and build an Outline Business Case for the restoration works that align with environmental sustainability objectives.
Revitalising the estuarine ecosystem
The North Tees Nature Park project represents a critical step towards restoring intertidal habitat in the Tees Estuary. Through collaboration between stakeholders, rigorous assessment, and innovative solutions, AECOM aims to revitalise the estuarine ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and ecological sustainability for future generations.