Clean-up work at historic bridge over Wear

Elvet Bridge before work to clear the debris began

Large amounts of debris had built up against Elvet Bridge after high river levels on the Wear.

This week staff from the Environment Agency joined up with Durham County Council to remove debris, including trees, from the river that had been causing a blockage.

Some of the fallen trees cleared from Elvet Bridge in Durham City

It was winched from the River Wear and stacked at the riverside before being cut up with a chainsaw and removed.

The Environment Agency’s Andy Foster said: "We regularly check and maintain our rivers for blockages and will remove anything which is deemed a potential flood risk.

"In this case a large amount of debris had built up on the Elvet bridge in Durham City Centre after being washed downstream during high river levels.

"We have had the help of Durham County Council to remove the debris and the bridge is expected to be fully clear by the end of Wednesday."

Environment Agency staff clear debris from Elvet Bridge in Durham City

Jimmy Bennett, Durham County Council’s clean and green manager, added: "We are pleased to be working with the Environment Agency to clear the river of debris. This is a good example of how we work with our partners to carry out important project such as this."