Work is underway to install new eel screens at Northumbrian Water’s Barrasford Raw Water Pumping Station, in Northumberland.
The £11.8 million project will protect the local wildlife and the safe migration of European eels by preventing them from entering the pumping station.
The project is being carried out by the water company’s partner, Mott Macdonald Bentley (MMB) and will be complete in December 2028.
The screens, which will be installed at the site’s water abstraction point, support the safe passage of eels as they move through the River North Tyne, helping to protect local populations and meet environmental requirements.
European eels are listed as critically endangered, with numbers having declined significantly in recent decades due to a range of factors including habitat loss, barriers to migration, climate change and overfishing. Installing eel screens is an important measure that helps to support the eel population’s recovery by reducing the risk of injury at water abstraction sites.
The work forms part of Northumbrian Water's ongoing investment in environmental improvements across the region, helping to protect local waterways and the wildlife that depends on them.
Graeme Ridley, Project Manager at Northumbrian Water, said: "Protecting and enhancing the environment is a key part of what we do, and we're pleased to be carrying out this important project at Barrasford. While much of the work takes place behind the scenes, the new eel screens will play a vital role in helping to protect migrating eels and support the long-term health of the River North Tyne.
"Projects like this demonstrate how we can continue to provide reliable water services for our customers while also delivering meaningful environmental benefits for the communities and environments we serve."
You can follow the project on the community hub page - Project: Barrasford Eel Screens | Northumbrian Water