A SCHEME to remove gravel from the River South Tyne is making good progress, councillors have said.
Earthworks specialists Thompson’s of Prudhoe started clearing mounds of gravel from the river in June.
The scheme was proposed by Haydon Parish Council in a bid to reduce the risk of flooding.
Speaking at the last parish council meeting, Coun. David Robson said: “Thompson’s are doing a good job and are making good progress.”
Coun. Robson said one smaller mound of gravel could not be removed because of the presence of Himalayan balsam.
He added: “We’ve been told that if they take that gravel away, it will spread the seed.”
Coun. Robson said he was currently seeking permission from the Environment Agency for gravel to be cleared further upstream, at Lipwood.
Properties at Haydon Bridge and in the nearby community of Lipwood were flooded during Storm Desmond in December 2015.
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