It is a place rich in history, nature and potential.
Stretching 7 miles from the banks of the River Tyne at Ouseburn all the way to Weetslade Country Park and The Letch in Longbenton, discover more about the places that make the Ouse Burn Valley so special – and how it’s shaping a greener, more connected future.
The Letch, also known as the Longbenton Letch, is a historic watercourse in Longbenton, North Tyneside. It has played a key role in the area’s drainage for centuries and has recently undergone restoration to improve its environmental impact.
Historically, The Letch flowed into a combined sewer system, which increased flood risks in the local area. To address this, Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and North Tyneside Council collaborated to divert The Letch into the Forest Hall Letch, a nearby main river. This intervention reduced flood risks for 3,594 properties and restored The Letch as a natural watercourse.
Longbenton dates to medieval times, and remnants of its medieval village layout can still be seen today. The area has a strong industrial past, particularly in coal mining, where The Letch helped with natural drainage. In the 18th century, mines such as Meadow Pit and Dyke Pit were central to Longbenton’s economy, and The Letch played a supporting role in this development.
The restoration of The Letch has significantly improved biodiversity in the area. Wetland habitats have been created along the Forest Hall Letch, providing a home for various plant and animal species. This enhancement has contributed to a healthier local ecosystem.
The Ouse Burn Way is a seven-mile green corridor project designed to link the River Tyne at Ouseburn to Weetslade Country Park, with The Letch forming a key part of the route. The initiative will establish walking and cycling paths, promote cleaner waterways, and enhance biodiversity along the entire stretch. The Letch, which is culverted under Salters Lane, could be improved in terms of water quality, biodiversity, and amenity value.
As part of the project, new walking and cycling routes will be developed alongside The Letch, making it more accessible to the community. There will also be further environmental improvements, including water quality enhancements and habitat creation, helping to sustain local wildlife.
The vision identifies working with Northumbria Water and Newcastle University to improve the water quality and reduce drainage issues and flood risk. This would benefit the communities of Longbenton, Forest Hall, West Moor, and Benton and workers at the business parks to the north who could all enjoy access to the new natural, green amenity spaces. These improvements would also improve the water quality of the Ouse Burn downstream, facilitating all of the other improvements and benefits along the Ouse Burn Way.
Connecting into Heathery Lane and Salters Lane, the existing footpath and cycle path currently runs to the rear of Quorum Business Park, before turning south onto Benton Lane and to the south of Longbenton High School. Signage could be improved and this path could be extended alongside the Letch, providing a continuous blue / green active travel link better serving the business park and communities in Forest Hall, Killingworth and beyond.
To reduce storm overflow spills and improve water quality Northumbrian Water Limited has committed to upgrading storm overflows across the region, including two in Longbenton – Salters Lane and Grassholm Place by 2030 which discharge into the Ouseburn
The Letch is set to become a key part of a thriving green corridor, benefiting from continued conservation efforts and greater community engagement.
With improved access, cleaner water, and enhanced biodiversity, The Letch will remain a valued natural and historical asset for Longbenton and beyond.
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Our in-depth brochure outlines all of our proposed plans.
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