Action Groups Update - January 2024
Tweed Estuary Pollution Action Group
Elaine reported that the group had a productive meeting with Northumbrian Water (NW) on 5 Feb. NW indicated their new business plan includes significant investment for infrastructure improvement in Berwick (more than elsewhere in Northumberland) – to include more storage tanks, screens and sustainable urban drainage approaches to help reduce spills from the storm water overflows. This is good, and also a tacit admission for the first time that there is a problem to be solved! Another new piece of information re the spills is they can be triggered by rainfall anywhere in the vast Tweed river system up to 100 miles away, not just rainfall at the estuary, so legitimising (under current licenses) the large number of spills. Reporting of spills and assessment of how clean beaches are leaves a lot of room for interpretation apparently – another new piece of info.
Algae monitoring continues but we may also/or instead carry out a water ranger role which looks at problems with visible N Water infrastructure and report accordingly. A training programme for volunteers is being worked on with the Env Agency and some of us will engage with this, once N Water come back to us with a date.
Another opportunity offered by N Water – a visit to the water treatment works at Merton (near Lindisfarne).
Transport and Active Travel Action Group
Judith reported that Northumberland County Council (NCC) have recently appointed a “Bus Champion” so this sounds promising. Part of the role will be to monitor ALL bus stops in Northumberland, a huge task, and one that Greener Berwick (GB) transport group has been carrying out in Berwick recently. Another good step is the extension of running time of the B1 bus to 9.30 pm.
There was a meeting re cycling and the new cargo bike with Ed Clark cycling officer from NCC and Jan Chisholm, who does cycle training and trains in use of cargo bike. Cargo bike initially intended for local businesses but available to individual also for any purpose. Advertising not yet clear but Town Council might assist.
Joan reported that no 67 to Norham has no evening service and would like to campaign for extension of service. Joan to work with Norham Parish Council and GB transport group to gather support to present case to NCC.
Judith reported there is a new community transport officer and GB transport group will meet with them on 30th Jan at 10am.
It was noted that Jamie Driscoll (campaigning to be elected mayor for NE) expressed a particular interest in active transport at his recent talk in Berwick, so that might be useful in future.
Zero Waste Hub Action Group
Next Repair Café Sat 27th Jan 10-1pm at Salvation Army hall, Church St. Berwick (more details here).
Pepper reported discussion with Shona Armstrong, ASDA community champion, about possibility of pop up repair café at ASDA – will be considered further.
Funding for Repair Café has been secured from TC and NCC, (including for a tool lending scheme) but more volunteers are needed to help run the scheme, and more repairers are always welcome. Please contact us if you can help.
Growing Communities Action Group
Joel reported that the beds at Foul Ford have been planted, 12 folk participating; most keener on planting than digging! A start has been made on the Chapel St beds and the group has also helped at the war memorial garden area.
Warm Homes Action Group
Martin reported a meeting decided there would be more leafletting to promote energy company grant schemes. An Energy Advice Service is also a possibility, possibly in conjunction with the repair café. Elaine advised that the £400 available from FoE up to end of March might be best suited to Warm Homes group as Warm Homes is a specific FoE campaign nationally.
