THE journey of fish swimming upstream in the River Tyne has been made easier through collaborative work.

Tyne Rivers Trust has worked with the Environment Agency, Highways England and Road Link Limited to make two culverts running under the A69 more fish friendly.

New fish easements have made the water deeper, to allow fish to move upstream easier to boost spawning rates and fish populations. The schemes were introduced at both Darden Burn, Hexham, and Crossley Burn, Haydon Bridge.

Jack Bloomer, deputy director at Tyne Rivers Trust, said: “The shallow flow of these culverts meant that fish weren’t getting upstream to lay their eggs, but I’m pleased to say we saw fish using the easements almost as soon as they were put in.

“This will have a positive effect on future fish populations and the habitat of the river.”