Volunteers have helped remove rubbish, tyres and rusting car parts from a river during a clean-up and biodiversity project at Bedwellty Pits in Tredegar.
Blaenau Gwent Council, Groundwork Wales and Gwent Wildlife Trust joined forces for the project, which brought together Groundwork Wales officers, the council’s Local Environmental Quality Officer and 10 volunteers.
The work formed part of Groundwork Wales’s wider Healthy Rivers Programme, which aims to improve river health, support biodiversity and involve communities in protecting local waterways.
Volunteers received guidance and were provided with sun hats, sun cream, litter pickers, gloves, bags and waders. They then split into groups to pick litter or carry out river sampling and biodiversity surveys.
The group also tackled Himalayan balsam, an invasive non-native plant which can displace native vegetation.
Councillor Tommy Smith, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environment, said: “This is a brilliant example of partnership working, and through our Blaenau Gwent Deal we are working differently with our communities to tackle local issues and challenges. Thank you to everyone who took part – you’ve helped to make a real difference.”
The Blaenau Gwent Deal is a new relationship through which the council works with communities to build a better, more resilient and fairer borough while valuing and supporting volunteers.
Jack Harrison, Healthy Rivers Officer at Groundwork Wales, said: “Our wider programme has the intention of improving river health, but in terms of our work today we are focusing on three key areas. We are removing the invasive species Himalayan balsam from this stretch of river, clearing waste from the riverbed and surrounding area, and surveying a variety of invertebrates, insects and bugs to establish the biodiversity present.
“The balsam has negative effects on biodiversity because it grows rapidly and reaches a height that allows it to outcompete many native plant species. It contributes very little to the wider ecosystem as very few animals feed on it, meaning it provides limited food sources for local wildlife.
“The plant is also shallow-rooted and dies back each winter. Where it has displaced native vegetation, riverbanks can be left exposed and vulnerable to erosion, which can contribute to increased flood risk downstream. By removing the balsam, we’re helping to protect local ecosystems, restore native habitats and potentially help protect people’s homes from future flood risks.
“Alongside this, we removed waste from the river and surrounding environment. Some of the items found on site, including discarded tyres, can release microplastics and pollutants into the environment, which can negatively affect fish, insects and other wildlife. By removing these hazards, we’re helping to create a healthier river environment.”
Groundwork Wales worked closely with the council to identify the site and organise the event. The council also supported the collection, transportation and disposal of waste removed during the clean-up.
Local residents Diane and Mike Turner were among those taking part, having become council litter champions last year.
Diane said: “This is our first time volunteering with Groundwork Wales. Mike and I became litter champions last summer after seeing other people getting involved and deciding we’d like to do our bit too. Today Mike is helping with the river sampling, while I’m helping to clean up the surrounding riverbank.”
Kathryn Learwood, a litter champion, said: “I regularly take part in litter picks in this area and run a Facebook group called Keeping Tredegar Tidy, where local litter champions come together to help care for our community.
“This is a stunning area with incredible natural beauty, but sadly it can become heavily littered, particularly during the summer months. Waste from picnics and barbecues is often left behind, while winter flooding washes rubbish downstream from the town.
“We find everything from car parts and children’s toys to household waste. Keeping this area clean is really important to me because it’s where I live and walk my dogs. It’s a beautiful place, rich in nature, and it deserves to be protected.”
Volunteer Cathy Johnson said: “I volunteered because I want to help keep the environment clean. I enjoy being outdoors in the fresh air, and there’s a real sense of achievement in making a visible difference to the local area.”
John Mewett, Local Environmental Quality Officer, said: “As a council, we have the facilities to collect and dispose of the waste removed from the site and provide equipment, so we were pleased to work together to organise the day.
“It’s great working alongside Groundwork Wales, local litter champions, community groups and volunteers to remove tyres, scrap metal and other waste from the river, helping to protect and improve this important local environment.
“Partnership working like this is a fantastic way of bringing together organisations and residents who share a common goal of caring for our natural spaces and part of our Blaenau Gwent Deal. This is part of an ongoing effort to improve the area, and we are already exploring opportunities to involve local schools in future activities at the site.
“It was a very successful day. I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to take part. Their hard work and commitment have made a real difference and demonstrate how much our community cares about protecting and enhancing the local environment.”
The project combined litter removal, invasive species management and wildlife monitoring to help create healthier waterways and greener communities across Blaenau Gwent.
A video of the project can be watched here.
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