Witton-le-Wear

Coordinates: 54°40′36″N 1°46′24″W / 54.676734°N 1.773391°W / 54.676734; -1.773391

Witton-le-Wear is a small village in County Durham, England. It is situated on the north bank of the River Wear, 6 km (3.7 mi) to the north-west of Bishop Auckland.

Geography and administration

The Weardale Ward is represented on Durham County Council by Anita Savory (Independent)and John Shuttleworth (Independent). Witton le Wear is part of the Durham North West Parliamentary constituency which is represented by Pat Glass (Labour) and is also in the North East Region which serves as a constituency for the European Parliament. Witton le Wear also has an eight-member Parish Council to serve its residents.

The local police force is Durham Constabulary. Witton-le-Wear is in the Wear and Tees division.

Location

Witton-le-Wear (SSSI)

Witton-le-Wear (SSSI) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest located in the valley of the River Wear, immediately east of the village of Witton-le-Wear in County Durham, England.

It is important as the only extensive body of biologically-significant open water in West Durham.

SSSI status

Until 1964, the area now designated as an SSSI was used for sand and gravel extraction. When extraction ceased, the area was taken over by Durham Wildlife Trust, which developed a nature reserve, Low Barns, on the site.

The site was designated as Witton-le-Wear SSSI in 1966. Minor revisions were made to the boundaries in 1987.

The nature reserve encompasses a visitor centre and a disused sewage works, neither of which is included in the SSSI.

Geography, geology and ecology

The site occupies an area adjacent to the River Wear, being bounded on the south by the river and on the north by a former river channel which was abandoned when the Wear shifted its course during a flood in 1771. Being part of the river's floodplain, the area is underlain by riverine sands and gravels, which were formerly extracted; the abandoned workings were subsequently inundated, creating three lakes which are an important feature of the SSSI.