River Tame, West Midlands
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The River Tame flows from the Black Country, through north Birmingham, past Tamworth (which takes its name from the river), and into the River Trent near Alrewas. The name derives from the Celtic language, and is usually thought to mean "dark" or "slow moving", although the precise meaning is uncertain.
The river is susceptible to spectacular flooding at the village of Hopwas between Tamworth and Lichfield during periods of heavy autumnal rain, attested by the Anglo-Saxon meaning of the village's name:- hop - nook of land, was - watery.
There is also a substantial bend in the course of the river between Hopwas and Elford, giving rise to the name of the area of Tamhorn.
The river is non-navigable. However clean-up operations in a notoriously polluted stretch of the river in the Witton area of Birmingham have meant that aquatic wildfowl such as ducks and swans have settled on that stretch of the river.
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[edit] SMURF
In 2005 the river's alignment through Perry Hall Park in Perry Barr, Birmingham was remodelled to slow the flow, alleviate flooding and create improved habitats for wildlife, as part of the SMURF (Sustainable Management of Urban Rivers and Floodplains) project.
[edit] Features
The Tame passes several nature reserves and other open spaces, including (moving downstream):
- RSPB Sandwell Valley
- Perry Hall Park
- the West Midland Bird Club's Ladywalk Reserve
- Whitemoor Haye
- Croxall Lakes (Staffordshire Wildlife Trust)
- The National Memorial Arboretum
[edit] Bridges
The river is crossed by many bridges, including, at Perry Barr the Zig Zag bridge of 1711 and its 1932, art deco, replacement, carrying the Aldridge Road.
[edit] Tributaries
See tributary
