Northumbrian Water is celebrating the success of its groundbreaking Bluespaces programme, which has already helped partners deliver significant environmental and community benefits across the region.
Between 2020 and 2025, Northumbrian Water has invested over half a million pounds through a total of 59 projects designed and delivered through partners that have collectively improved 248.1km of accessible water environments, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastlines.
In the North East:
- More than 17,500 trees were planted, boosting biodiversity and supporting climate resilience. 3,500 of these were planted along the Skerne Bridleway and a further 1,433 were planted in Derwent Reservoir by the Durham Wildlife Trust.
- The programme engaged with around 11,700 members of the public through 447 public or training events.
- There was huge support from communities, with people pitching in for over 4,000 volunteer days. This included litter picking and helping with bank repairs at Bishop Aukland Cemetery and Low Staindrop Field House Farm.
- To improve visitor experience and accessibility, 80 new benches, seats, or signs were installed across the region, with new interpretation signs, circular nature tails and benches installed in Cattersty Gill and Hammersea Coastal Nature Reserves.
- 67 in-channel or fish passage features were created to support healthier, more connected waterways for wildlife, and maintenance was carried out to existing passages across Hummer and Lower Gaunless Becks in County Durham.
‘Bluespaces’ are areas in and around water that are freely accessible to the public including streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, wetlands, canals, beaches, and other aquatic habitats. They are vital for biodiversity and offer important spaces for recreation, education, and wellbeing.
Last month, the business held a celebration event at Lumley Castle, one of the new and upcoming project sites. In attendance was Heidi Mottram, CEO of Northumbrian Water Group, who delivered an insightful overview of Bluespaces to stakeholders, and presented awards to celebrate the hard work of partners that have achieved excellence in their delivery of projects, recognising successes of the programme.
Clementine Moule, Bluespaces Lead at Northumbrian Water Group said: “Through our Bluespaces programme, and the hard work of our partners, we’ve made tremendous strides in enhancing our region’s precious water environments while bringing communities closer to nature.
“From planting thousands of trees to improving access and wildlife connectivity, these projects are about more than just the environment. They’re about creating spaces where people and nature thrive together.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and are excited to build on this momentum to deliver even greater environmental and social benefits in the years ahead.”
For more information on the environmental priorities of Northumbrian Water, you can read the environmental strategy on: Environment strategy