Good morning All,

We attach a copy of the site fencing plan to demonstrate that the reservior, beach and fishing platform will be closed to the public throughout the christmas break.

From the construction team we wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year

Kind regards

Steven Cruse

Afternoon Everyone,

We’ve seen some comments on Facebook this week regarding materials on site, centred around a photograph that showed railings and stonework that have been set aside while we work on the project.

While we understand and appreciate some of the concerns raised about the future of these materials on the I Love Teesdale page, we wanted to give you some reassurances.

The kerb stones and railings have not been “tossed aside”. As is clear in the photograph, we are currently working on this part of the site and have had to lay these aside to do so. It would not be possible to do this part of the work without having moved the stones and the rails.

We are currently looking for an appropriate site to either re-use, or donate these materials, as we would love to see them appropriately kept in the area if possible.

In addition, the existing tarmac road will be reinstated and the field will be reseeded, along with the restoration of fences and stone walls, back to their original condition. Again, it is important to point out that these areas are currently on a construction site.

Sadly the railings cannot be reinstated in accordance with modern health and safety legislation but we have replaced these with white concrete, which will weather and eventually take on the look of the existing stone finish.

Finally,  its important to remember that the image posted was taken on a construction site, in an area where work is taking place, and I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that entry to this area is strictly prohibited for the safety of the public. There are signs in place and we urge people to stay off the site, in accordance with that signage, for your safety.

Kind Regards 

Amanda

Hello. We have worked on a number of work fronts over the past few weeks. We, along with our supply chain partners have worked on the two spillways and the earthworks. We have increased the capacity of the south spillway and are progressing well with the works on the north spilway. 

Following the lockdown announcement, I would like to remind everyone of our covid management procedures.

This photogrpahs shows a hand held body temperature thermometer that gives an instant result. We take the forehead temperature of all persons that arrive on site before they go into the office.

We have set up hand sanitiser stations in the offices, welfare units and at strategic locations in the compound.

Similar hand sanitising units have been installed at strategic locations.

This photograph shows the good work that has been done on the south spillway.

Hello. The site team has made very good progress over the summer months. We are working in a number of locations on site.

We are working at the base of the dam. We poured more concrete today.

Works on the south spillway are progressing very well.

We are also working on the south bank of the reservoir.

Hi

Hope you are all keeping well. Just a quick update on progress to date. The Southern Spillway Wall Raising works is nearly complete. We have just started to install wall units on the Northern Spillway. The new amenity area is starting to take shape and the Southern weir re-build work is looking good. Currently working on the boat ramp and fishing platform foundations.We are  on track to end the Phase 2 works late November. To help us keep on programme you may have noticed we are working Saturdays now. This is a big benefit to us at present a we are taking advantage of the dry weather. 

Deliverys for wall units will continue up to early November. 

I have attached a few progress photos for you to see.

Thanks

Martin

Hi

Hope you are enjoying the good weather. Just a quick update on progress so far and a short term overview of some plans ahead.

We have made good progress to the demolittion works to the existing south weir. The piles are now installed to the Dam Crest and we are currently getting areas set up to start installing the pre-cast concrete wall sections to the Southern Weir. I have added a few photos for you to view.

Commencing Friday 26-6-2020 you may experience some increase in traffic through Mickleton as we are starting to accept deliverys of the pre-cast concrete wall units. These will occur only a few times a week during our normal site hours. I have attached a map highliting the route.

Regrding demolition works we will be complete in a few weeks so any noise you may have experienced so far will reduce dramatically.

We will update you again in a few weeks with more information and progress photos.

Many Thanks

Martin

Hi

Hope you are all well.

We would like to give you an update on progress to date -

Sheet piles are currently being installed to the Dam Crest and weir reduction work to the Southern Spillway is well under way. 

Over the next few weeks we will move onto breaking off the concrete to the weir reduction. We will try to keep the noise to a minimum during this process.

Can we take this opportunity to remind you that at Grassholme Reservoir: The site is closed. It will remian closed to the public until the end of this year.

This is for safety reasons while essential work is carried out

Despite closed signs and safety warnings at all entrances to the site, we know that people have been accessing the area.

We understand there is interest in the changing landscape, due to water levels having been reduced to ensure the work can be carried out safely.

However, we must insist that people stay away and remind people that this closure is for public safety.

We do have other beautiful reservoir sites open in Upper Teesdale and County Durham and would recommend these as an alternative to Grassholme.

Regarding Covid - 19 you can find upates as per the link below.

https://www.watersideparksuk.com/covid-19-latest-update-20th-may/

We have added a few photos to show you the work being carried out. Will keep you updated with future progress / changes.

Many Thanks

Martin 

Hello everyone

You may remember that, last month, I provided an update regarding our essential work at Grassholme and how our project team were adapting to the UK Government guidelines surrounding Covid-19 that continue to affect us all.

We have been working on a phased re-opening of some of our Waterside Parks and reservoirs and I wanted to make you aware of some helpful information now available at the following link;

https://www.watersideparksuk.com/covid-19-latest-update-20th-may/

Whilst we have been able to re-open some of our sites, Grassholme remains closed. I will however, continue to let you know of any further changes in the future.

As I’m sure you will already appreciate, all our work going forward will continue to follow UK Government guidance surrounding Covid-19.

Kind regards to you all

Mike Ciaraldi

Hello everyone,

You may recall, from earlier portal updates, that we have shared with you our plans for essential maintenance and improvement work we are doing at Grassholme Reservoir. I also had the pleasure of meeting local customers who attended our event on 29 June 2019. 

We started the latest part of the Project in March this year and we expect this work to be complete by the end of December 2020. However, as we all adapt during these challenging times, we will continue to monitor Government guidance and the timings of our work may change. Be assured that our site teams are adhering to the social distancing guidance and we ask that others maintain a social distance from our people whilst we are on site. In summary, this work is classed as essential and we are following UK Government guidance regarding COVID-19.

To recap, this £12 million scheme will increase the resilience of the reservoir dam and will also involve an upgrade to the leisure facilities available.

We had intended to hold a customer event, with local residents, to share more about this and future work this month. Due to the UK Government imposed instructions to stay home and avoid gatherings, we will not now hold this public event and we trust you will understand the reasons for this change of plan.

With our next phase of work under development and in the absence of a customer event, we would like to offer you the opportunity to understand the works that we must complete. Please refer to the attached visuals that describe the whole of the works.  Our plan involves reshaping of land to bolster the Northern Embankment, adjacent the Carl Beck, of the reservoir which includes the removal and partial relocation of a small area of woodland. It is intended to compensate for this by planting trees within an area double to that impacted upon by our works. Trees that can be relocated to the new planting area will be repositioned to minimise any biodiversity loss.

This work is subject to both an Environmental Impact Assessment and a planning application to Durham County Council. Please get in touch if you have any comments or wish to discuss these works by the 6^th May 2020.*

At the date of this update, Grassholme Reservoir Visitor Centre is closed along with all Northumbrian Water Waterside Parks until further notice, in line with current Government guidance. During the course of our work, vehicle movements and fluctuating water levels will require restrictions of access and walking routes around the visitor centre car park and the Eastern perimeter of the reservoir. These will be clearly signposted, advertised and identified on a plan in our portal. While people are currently prohibited from traveling to do their exercise, it is important that any local residents still walking in the area adhere to our restrictions, which are there for your safety.

Please see the below link for more information regarding fishing and leisure activities. This information, along with the Bulletin about our planned work can be seen in the tab titled 'Customer Update - April 20'.

https://www.watersideparksuk.com/park/grassholme/fishing/

We will do everything we can to limit inconvenience and I would like to thank residents and visitors for their patience while we undertake this essential work. I hope the improvements you see when the work is completed will be some compensation for the temporary restrictions.

We’d really like to hear from you if you have any feedback or questions. You can comment on the portal, telephone our customer contact centre on 0345 717 1100 to speak to a member of our Project Team. You can also follow us on twitter @nwater_care and @NorthumbrianH2O.

* Northumbrian Water and Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited (‘Lichfields’), our planning consultants are registered with the Information Commissioners Office (registration numbers Z4657939 and Z6193122 respectively). Your responses will be analysed by Northumbrian Water and Lichfields. It is not envisaged that any personal data will be supplied by virtue of a response to this consultation, but in the event that any personal data is supplied, it will be disregarded and deleted without undue delay. Responses to this consultation may be made publicly available. Your response may be shared with the following agency involved in the collation and outcome of the data: Durham County Council.

Essential construction works are due to commence on site in April 2020 at Grassholme Reservoir. The purpose of the works are to increase the resilience of the reservoir dam and will also involve an upgrade to the existing leisure facilities.

During the course of the work, vehicle and plant movements and fluctuating water levels will require restrictions of access to the visitor centre car park and to the north shore footpath and the dam crest of the reservoir. These restrictions will be clearly signposted on the site. Some routes will still be available to use safely but unfortunately there will be no fishing activities allowed.

Grassholme Reservoir Visitor Centre is currently closed along with all Northumbrian Water Waterside Parks until further notice. This is in line with current Government guidance.

There is clear UK Government Guidance on travel, “Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must remain in their primary residence. Not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk”

The map below shows location of initial footpath closures. Footpaths will be closed from April 2020 until further notice. Please do not travel to our sites and please remember only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).