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WYE & USK FOUNDATION
NEWS RELEASE
Date 10/05/2012
For Immediate Release
THE BIG UPPER WYE CLEAR UP COMPLETED
A twelve-week initiative to clear litter from the upper river Wye has been successfully completed.
From the start of February, groups of volunteers, organised by the Wye & Usk Foundation (WUF)
with support from Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) and the River Wye Preservation Trust (RWPT), have been
removing litter from the river’s source at Plynlimon downstream to Builth Wells and beyond,
including the tributary streams. In addition to the practical benefits of removing the litter, The Big
Upper Wye Litter Clear Up also draws attention to the amount of rubbish and other pollutants being
allowed to enter the highly protected river Wye.
116 volunteers were involved in the project, including anglers, canoeists, wildlife enthusiasts,
walkers and others with an interest in the Wye. 596 sacks of litter and larger items were removed
from 103 miles of river and stream, including objects such as a car radiator, a lawnmower and a
deep freeze. Even more worryingly, several drums containing agricultural and mechanical chemicals
that damage the aquatic environment were also found. The collected litter was picked up and,
where possible, recycled by Powys County Council.
Over 60% of the litter collected during The Big Upper Wye Litter Clear was believed to be of
agricultural origin. The project follows on from a similar exercise on the rivers Lugg and Arrow last
year where 220 volunteers cleared 767 sacks of rubbish from another 100 miles of river and stream,
61% of which was agricultural.
Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith, Director of the Wye and Usk Foundation said: ““Tipping rubbish down
banks and into rivers is, I’m sorry to say, part of our rural culture. By clearing it away we solve one
part of the problem but I hope we also make people feel very uncomfortable about it so rubbish is
disposed of properly in the future. We hope to clear the upper Wye’s main tributaries, the Ithon and
Irfon, and further downstream on the main stem Wye next year.”
Tony Norman, the Foundation trustee managing the campaign, said: “It has been a delight to get to
know the country so well in such a beautiful part of Wales. But, it is tinged with regret that the
pristine water that falls on those hills is marred by the careless behaviour of a few people.”
Rachel Palmer of Keep Wales Tidy commented: “By working together we have achieved something
that none of us could have managed alone. As well as cleaning up over 100 miles of river, the
activity has raised awareness of the surprising levels of waste in an apparently clean rural river
system. The volunteers have been absolutely fantastic and alongside lots of agricultural plastic and
food and drink packaging there were some surprising finds including a surveyor's pole, a St George's
flag and a floating bread-bin!” She added, “However, the litter clearing efforts don’t stop with the
end of this project and if you would like to help us, please get in touch on 07717 497 442 or
[email protected]”
Simon Dereham of the River Wye Preservation Trust said: “Our principle aim is to help preserve one
of England and Wales’s most beautiful rivers and we will continue to support all action in future
efforts that will help keep our rivers clear of pollution and rubbish.”
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Notes for Editors:
1. For further details, photos and a “Why clear up rivers” information sheet, please contact:
Seth Johnson-Marshall, The Wye & Usk Foundation - 01982 560 357 [email protected]
Also, for further information:
Rachel Palmer
Tony Norman
Keep Wales Tidy: 07717 497 442 [email protected]
01544 388510 [email protected]
2. The Wye & Usk Foundation is (registered charity number 1080319) concerned with restoring the
habitat, water quality and fisheries of the rivers Wye and Usk. For more information please see:
www.wyeuskfoundation.org
3. Keep Wales Tidy is a registered Environmental Charity working for the improvement of the Welsh
environment. See www.keepwalestidy.org
Registered charity number: 1082058
4. The River Wye Preservation Trust preserves the River Wye and its tributaries, promotes interest in
its animal and plant life. The Trust promotes and develops research into the environment and
history of the River Wye, its tributaries and environs. See www.rwpt.net for more information.
Registered charity number: 518555
5. The upper Wye and its tributaries are host to an array of wildlife with sections designated both a
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an EU Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Extensive work
has been carried out in recent years by WUF and the Environment Agency to improve habitat and
water quality of both rivers, as well as re-establish access to spawning grounds for migrating salmon
and trout. Please see www.wyeuskfoundation.org/projects for more details.
6. The Big Upper Wye Clear up is part of a larger project to clear the whole of the Wye system of
rubbish. It adds to the 2011 project (also over 100 miles) also done by volunteers on the Lugg and
Arrow system of the Wye Please see www.wyeuskfoundation.org/projects/bigupperwyeclearup