Customer Update - April 2021

Dear Customer

Ongoing works at Grassholme Reservoir 

You may recall that the project team updated you in 2019 and 2020 on the essential maintenance and improvement works at Grassholme Reservoir. The three key areas of works at the reservoir are 'Spillway Improvement Works', 'Northern Embankment Improvement Works' and 'Fishing and Sailing Amenity Works'.

Works have progressed well and we have substantially completed the works to the spillway and the fishing and sailing amenity areas. This has seen great improvements to the facilities for leisure visitors and provided much need resilience for the dam and its associated structures. 

The current phase of the project which relates to the Northern Embankment improvement works started in March this year and will continue into the summer of 2022. As a recap this forms part of a £14.5M programme of upgrades at this site. Some minor water level reductions in the reservoir will occur this year and next to allow some seasonal finishing works to be completed.

The work we have planned includes 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 six times 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. The work complements other recent developments, including the launch last year of Grassholme Observatory, which will help turn Grassholme Reservoir into a key multi-purpose leisure destination.

During the course of the work, heavy plant movements and significant construction works will require restrictions of access for the public throughout that period. Walking routes will be restricted, in particular access to the dam crest and the full circular walk will be unavailable to the general public. Signage will be placed in locations to aid any visitors understanding of the limitations we must impose for your safety and wellbeing.

Should you have any queries regarding the proposed works and would to discuss further, please contact the Northumbrian Water customer contact centre on 0345 717 1100 to speak to a member of our Project Team.

At the date of writing this update, Grassholme Reservoir Visitor Centre is open, however government guidance relative to COVID-19 is still applicable. At this time the current information for Anglers is as follows: 

• Fishing will be available from all of the south shore, accessed from the main entrance and the western end. 
• Fishing from the north shore will be available from the western end only and as far down as Pebble beach.
• Fishing will not be allowed from the dam wall and there will be no pedestrian access, including for anglers, meaning no access to the north shore from the main entrance. 

This may change and you are advised to check the NWL websites for any updates along with the social media channel’s here:

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

https://www.facebook.com/nwwatersideparks@gofishingnw

You can also follow us on twitter @nwater_care and @NorthumbrianH2O.