EEL PROTECTION SCHEME

Ovingham Eel Screens

This project is to provide environmentally friendly fish exclusion screens at the raw water pumping station at Ovingham. These screens are necessary to protect the European Eel and other fish species that are present in the River Tyne. Work will commence April 2023 and anticipated to be complete March 2025

Start Date

April, 2023

Estimated End Date

March, 2025

Contractor

NW, Mott MacDonald Bentley

Further information

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Latest updates

By Julie Oakley

7 May, 2024 at 3:49PM

Good afternoon, I hope you all have had a lovely bank holiday weekend and the weather has stayed nice for you all, its been a while since our last update so I wanted to let you know how the project is progressing, we have had a few minor set backs due to the weather conditions but we have kept going and hopefully we can catch up, as you maybe aware we have also been working weekends to help us get back on track. We are still drilling and have had a few issues, but they have now been overcome. The RVT engineer is continuing with the Envirohub commissioning & maintenance alongside the MMB site team. We are trying to keep the disruption to the absolute mininium but there is an odd occasion when the works do cause some minor interuptions. If you have any issues or concerns please feel free to catch one of the site team or leave a post below and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as we can. Thanks for your patience Julie

By Julie Oakley

15 February, 2024 at 10:44AM

Good Morning, UPDATE - on our on-going work at Ovingham Pumping Station near your home. Our work to install the eel screens at the pumping station is progressing well. You might be aware that European Eel stocks are very low and continue to decline. The work we are doing is part of a recovery plan that aims to return the eel stocks to sustainable levels, with the screens enabling safer journeys upstream for eels and migratory fish. The eel screens will not only provide security of water supply for the future but will also enable Northumbrian Water to achieve compliance with the Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009. This is a major construction scheme and you may notice some increased activity, including over the weekend, through to the Autumn. We now expect the installation of the eel screens and supporting work to be complete by November 2025 I would like to thank you again for the patience you have shown while we have been working near your home and if you require any further information, please telephone our customer contact centre on 03457 171100 to arrange a call back from the Project Team or leave a comment below.

By Julie Oakley

2 February, 2024 at 11:57AM

Good afternoon, I hope we are not causing to much disruption due to the works being carried out, I thought I would give you a quick update on the progress of the project after a slow start to the year due to the adverse weather we have being getting, the first piling gate on the east side has been erected, all piles pitched and drilled and is now being disassembled alongside assembly of the next gate in the project. We welcome Sub Aqua in for an internal cleanse on the station while also getting ready to cleanse the front of the station from the regular silt build up! if you have any questions or enquiries please donot hestitate in leaving a comment below or just get in touch. thank you Julie

By Julie Oakley

16 January, 2024 at 10:43AM

Good morning, I hope you all have had a lovely Christmas and a great New Year!! I would like to provide an update on the progress of the project as I know there is a number of questions you may have. As you all will be aware we currently have 3 way traffic lights on Ovingham Road these will remain approximately until the end of February to facilitate deliveries to the Ovingham Eels Screens as well as the safe working area and footpath diversion of our sister scheme on the Horsley Run2Waste Pipeline connection works taking place adjacent the Hermitage Caravan Park entrance. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hestitate in contacting myself or site. thanks Julie

By Julie Oakley

18 December, 2023 at 11:11AM

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Good morning, We are making good progress on the project on the River Tyne - We are currently working towards the installation of the first piling gate on the east side of the pumping station this side of the Christmas shutdown with a view to recommencing drilling operations in the new year. We have installed the majority of the interlocking sheets between the tubular piles on the west side of the pumping station with them to be hammered to final depth in the new year. if you have any concerns or queries please do not hesitate in contacting us or leave a comment below. FROM ALL OF US AT NORTHUMBRIAN WATER & MMB WE WISH YOU A VERY

By Julie Oakley

28 November, 2023 at 2:12PM

6 Photos

Good afternoon, I'd just like to start this update by introducing myself! My name is Julie Oakley, I am the new Customer Liaison Officer for MMB taking over from Joan and will be conducting the engagement with our customers and posting regular updates going forward! Since our last update, works on the west side of the pumping station are progressing with all tubular piling now drilled to depth. Currently we are working on the installation of the interlocking sheet piles between the steel piping. Once these sheet piles have been installed we will make a start on the drilling works associated with the installation of the tubular piping on the east side of the pumping station. Please feel free to leave a comment below should you have any questions or concerns and a member of the project team will get back to you.

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Start Date

Estimated End Date

Contractor

Further information

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