As Tees Barrage celebrates its 30th anniversary, Canal & River Trust, the UK’s largest canal charity, is encouraging people of all ages to discover more about this incredible feat of engineering at two free events.
On Saturday 2 August, 11am-4pm, the Trust is hosting a family fun day at Tees Barrage, with plenty of free activities including arts and crafts and seal spotting. Families can bring along a picnic while enjoying an orchestra playing in the background and learn more about this local landmark and the charity that looks after it.
And on Friday 19 September, the Trust is offering free tours of the Barrage’s control room as part of the annual Heritage Open Days, with this year’s theme celebrating architecture. People can book a place by contacting george.baines2@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Sean McGinley, regional director at Canal & River Trust, said: “Tees Barrage is a special place for many reasons. It plays a vital role in maintaining river levels, and over its 30 years, it has also become a place that the local community uses. We’re looking forward to welcoming people to the events, where they can see and hear from the Canal & River Trust team, who operate the control room, how the Tees Barrage controls the river. They can also spot the wildlife that lives on and in the river, such as seals. It’s a real and unique experience – and it’s all free.”
Tees Barrage, including its lock and road bridge, requires constant care and maintenance. Last year saw large-scale works undertaken by Canal & River Trust, with the replacement of one of the four huge 21-tonne rams, and this year, 13 huge stop-planks are being replaced. All these works are supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
As well as performing its operational job of controlling the river’s water levels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and allowing boats through its lock, Tees Barrage is well-used for the benefit of the local community. From school children to retired members of community social groups, the Trust’s team at Tees Barrage is keen to help the local community learn about the vital task of controlling and maintaining the flow of the River Tees and the importance of the local river.
Pupils from schools in the Teesside area and beyond have been regular visitors to the Tees Barrage for several years. As part of Explorers, the charity’s education programme, also supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Trust has been educating children about their local river, as well as conducting important lessons on water safety.
There’s an active team of volunteers who play a significant role at Tees Barrage, looking after the grounds and running seal spotting and other nature activities, leading education sessions and much more. If you are interested in volunteering at Tees Barrage, please visit: canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteering
Team leader at Tees Barrage, Lee Butler added: “Meeting the local community is a part of my role that I really enjoy. Many local people want to know about Tees Barrage and are especially interested in the local history and nature associated with it. The events taking place this year are the chance for people to discover more.”
Facts and figures about Tees Barrage
Tees Barrage was built to control the flow of the River Tees, preventing flooding and the effects of tidal change on the nearby town of Stockton-on-Tees. Construction on this impressive structure started in 1991 and it was inaugurated on 17 July 1995 by the then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
- it took four years to build
- at a cost of £55m
- is 70 metres wide
- the four hydraulic rams weigh 21 tonnes
- they operate four fish belly gates; each are eight metres tall and weigh 50 tonnes.
