River Users Group

The River Users Group (RUG) was set up in 2008 to ensure that the Borough builds upon the initial progress made to date and that local people are able to access and make the most of Teesside's greatest natural asset now and in the future.

Primarily concerned with the 13 mile stretch between the Tees Barrage and Lower Worsall (The Tees Navigation), the River Users Group (RUG) is comprised of statutory bodies' key community partners and river users who all share a set of primary aims and objectives. Members are drawn from a wide range of bodies, communities and user groups concerned with the Tees in order to provide a balanced and representative view on key issues.

The RUG Steering Group, staffed by senior management representation from Stockton Borough Council, British Waterways and the Environment Agency, provides strategic direction to three themed action groups-Development and Access, Marketing and Stewardship. A selction of their key aims are listed below:

• Promote the River Tees, locally, regionally and nationally highlighting the River Tees as a destination economic focal point for the sub region and environmental asset for the people of Stockton;
• Improve the safety, security, cleanliness and biodiversity on the River Tees protecting, conserving and improving the river environment;
• Educate river users and local residents about sustainable land and river use, river safety and security whilst promoting a sense of wider community;
• Improve access to and access adjacent to the river through physical improvements and co-ordination of current activities on the Tees providing a strategic overview on access and development issues;
• To work with the developers, planners and partner in response to key planning applications to ensure the inclusion of the Stockton River Corridor initiative and ethos in the Local Dvelopment Framework;
• To support the delivery of the Tees Hertitage Park project and its integration into the medium and long term plans of the local authority

If you would like to get involved you will be very welcome!  Please contact riverusersgroup@stockton.gov.uk.