A SCHEME to remove 6,000 tonnes of gravel from the River South Tyne at Haydon Bridge appears to have hit the buffers.

Haydon Parish Council had wanted to carry out the ambitious scheme before winter sets in, to protect the village from a repeat of the flooding which devastated homes and businesses last December.

But the Environment Agency has told parish councillors that their scheme must be completed by October 31, to protect salmon in the river.

The scheme couldn’t have started earlier. It has been held up by a separate ongoing project by the EA’s appointed contractor BAM Nuttall, to reinforce river banks, which may not be finished until early next week.

In addition, Haydon parish councillor David Robson said the council is also still awaiting a permit from the EA to proceed.

He explained: “We’ve always known that we cannot go into the river until the EA’s own scheme has been completed. Therefore that doesn’t give us much time. We really wanted to get this done before the winter months, but it seems unlikely given the time restriction.”

The parish council had earmarked earthworks specialists Thompson’s of Prudhoe to carry out the removal work.

Coun. Robson added: “To remove this volume of gravel, you’re looking at four weeks work. I don’t think it’s fair to ask Thompson’s to bring along their machinery and expect them to get it done before October 31.”

Speaking on Tuesday, an EA spokesman said: “Provisionally, we expect BAM Nuttal to be finished working in the river by the end of this week or the start of next week, weather and river levels permitting.”

The EA said the parish council may have an opportunity to carry out the work next summer.