The project’s aim is to deliver 100 walks across County Durham that enable people to re-discover their local heritage. It is funded by the Walk and Talk Trust, a North-East charity dedicated to improving lives by enhancing people’s connection to the countryside. They note that:

• Walking is a cheap form of exercise with proven physical and mental health benefits.
• Enables the public to experience the wonderful countryside on our doorstep.
• Talking connects people, families and communities.

To help the Trust start the project across the county, Cllr Jonathan Elmer organised a promotional meeting at County Hall. Jonathan helped make connections between Keiron Young, a Trust Officer and other County Councillors.

The Langley Moor and Brandon Walk

In particular, Jonathan Elmer helped to establish the Brandon walk. Jonathan introduced Keiron Young to key local people and helped him to navigate procedural barriers.

The work on the ground for the walk was delivered by the Trust with Keiron leading.

Jonathan Elmer said: “We’ve been working with the Walk and Talk Trust for a couple of years and we are delighted to announce that the Brandon & Langley Moor ‘Heritage 100’ circular walk is now open.

“All the walks are designed to enable re-discovery of local heritage, whether that is built, social, or environmental. My favourite part of the walk is adjacent to the Browney, as there is a chance of seeing a kingfisher!”

For more information on the circular walk, visit its page on the Heritage 100 website.

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Jonathan Elmer reports that “the Browney regularly floods into Holiday Park as this forms part of the natural flood catchment. On the 17th March this year, community volunteers litter picked the park after flood water had receded. We were horrified to discover condoms and sanitary towel applicators as well as raw sewage deposited by the receding water. Northumbrian Water have been releasing raw sewage into the River Browney for many years and the level of sewage released has increased.”

The released sewage has resulted in a dis-appearance of Salmonids from the river, and without these fish, Kingfishers and Otters will soon follow.

County Durham Green Party have started a petition to be sent to the CEO of Northumbrian Water calling on them to stop sewage being released into the Browney within 5 years. Please sign and share the link below.

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-dumping-sewage-in-the-river-browney

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County Durham Green Party welcomes this important initiative. The strategy is a blueprint for the recovery of nature, showing where and how natural habitats can be supported, extended and linked-up. We do have some questions, which we will raise with DCC, about how the restoration will be measured and regulated; but we would encourage everyone to get involved and give feedback to support this drive.

You can complete DCC’s questionnaire, though this will limit you to choosing priority species and habitats – in our opinion it’s the connectivity that’s important, habitats function as an ecological network not as individual stand-alone sites. If you don’t want to use the questionnaire you can still write/email with your thoughts. The closing date for feedback is 16^th April.

The post DCC’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy appeared first on County Durham.

The report paints a grim picture of the future if action isn’t taken now by governments to address the rise in greenhouse gas emissions which are warming the planet and which are pushing the world to the brink of irreversible damage.

Since the first Green Party councillor was elected to Durham County Council in 2021, the Council’s attitude to climate change has changed for the better. It has declared an Ecological Emergency and is far more responsive to taking action around road traffic, air pollution and housing.

County Durham Green Councillor Jonathan Elmer says that as a result of the IPCC Report he is going to urge the council to increase the pace of change towards creating a Net Zero Carbon county.

“The IPCC paints a grim picture of the future if action to tackle the climate emergency isn’t taken immediately”, he says. “The IPCC point to a small window of opportunity that governments still have to secure a liveable, sustainable future for all and limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

“This report should be a loud alarm bell for the UK government, but it seems they’re just not listening. The Spring budget shows the Tories are asleep at the wheel when it comes to the climate crisis. Instead of investment in public transport and active travel, we got a fuel duty freeze; rather than meaningful investment in abundant and affordable renewables such as onshore and offshore wind, tidal and solar, we got the promise of expensive nuclear which will take over a decade to come on stream. And still no end in sight to the granting of licences for further fossil fuel exploitation or a carbon tax to make polluters pay for the damage they cause to our environment.

“The IPCC calls for action on climate change that also provides wider benefits. Greens have long argued that actions such as insulating homes, putting in place infrastructure to boost walking and cycling and a move towards a more plant based diet can all have positive impacts on health and address the cost of living crisis.

“I recognise that Durham is only a small part of the planet, but that does not mean we have to throw our hands up in the air and do nothing. If every council in the country did its bit to address our climate change challenge then we can make a difference. Inaction is not an option.”

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Council moves forward on Greens-inspired ecology emergency plans

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