Good Morning

Hope you are enjoying this great weather.

I thought I'd share this lovely note Carol took the time to write to the team after hitting a pothole in her car a little further down from our site, that resulted in a flat tyre. She was worried due to the fact she worked as a care worker and needed to get to her 102 year old client in Ovingham on time as they needed assistance daily. A member of team took her down to her client at Ovingham and returned to pick her up to bring her back to her car once she was finished. Whilst she was gone the lads changed her tyre with the spare and ensured she could get on with her day once she was finished.

Goes to show not all heros wear capes!!!!

Good Afternoon,

I'm guessing you will have noticed some activity along by the pumping station, here is an update from our Tina at Northumbrian Water on what's happening:-

"I’m writing to update you on the next phase of our on-going work at Ovingham Pumping Station near your home.

We’re now beginning the project to install eel screens at the pumping station. 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 will involve the use of a very large crane on the site and you will notice increased activity and noise around the station. The hours of work will be Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 6:00pm.  We expect the piling phase of works to be complete by February 2024, with the installation of the eel screens and supporting work to take until the end of December 2024.

However, we anticipate the work will become less noticeable as we move out of 2023 with work largely taking place within the site structure in 2024.

We’re expecting the crane to be delivered to site May 2023.  The crane will be delivered in sections and overall, there may be up to 20 separate deliveries over a two-week period.  These deliveries will be brought to site through the village of Wylam.

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.

,Yours sincerely

Tina Robinson, NWL Project Manager

Good Morning 

You will have noticed some activity by the pumping station recently, the team are setting up the compound and site for the forthcoming works. I hope our presence won't be too intrusive while Jason and his team make head way. 

I thought I'd share some photos:-

Good Afternoon Everyone

Just thought I'd bring you up to date with the developments by the Pumping Station.  

You will notice some increased activity towards the end of this month as we install one of the pumps at the station.

In March we will be starting another phase of the project which will involve some important work to install eel screens at the pumping station. 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.

The Eels Regulations were introduced to protect eels as European eel stocks are low and continue to decline. The recovery plan aims to return the eel stocks to sustainable levels.

We expect this essential work to be completed by the end of next year.

If you want to ask me any questions about the project please feel free.

Good Afternoon

It's been a little while since my last update, however things haven't stopped on site. Here is an update of where we are at the moment, I will be dropping in a letter to residents near the pumping station tomorrow so if you see me please say "Hello".

Here is a sumary of the letter from my colleague Tina at Northumbria Water :-

"I am writing to update you on our on-going work at Ovingham Pumping Station near your home. This work is part of our project to increase the resilience of the station which is an essential part of our water network in the region. We have completed a major part of the project however you will notice some increased activity over the next few weeks as we make some further significant investment in the site. During this time, we will have some cranes on site that will require occasional traffic management on the road next to the station. The road will remain open and we will do everything we can to limit disruption. We expect this latest phase of work to be completed before the end of the year. 

I would like to thank you again for the patience your shown while we undertake this essential work and if yourequire any further information, pleawse telephone cour customer contact centre on 03457 171100 to arrange a call back from the Project Team".

Regards

Joan & Tina

Morning Everyone,

Hope you are staying safe if these temperatures!

Just a few photos to show you how things have progressed, the surge vessel building is complete now and the team are starting to conduct the reinstating of the surrounding landscape. You will notice it's a little quiet at the moment on site as the guys are just about to conclude the works.

Our colleagues fron NWL will be sending you all an update letter to explain what happens next in the coming months. 

Once again thank you for your continued support and understanding during this project.

Good Morning,

I do hope you are enjoying this fantastic weather.

Just a quick update of the surge vessel building and it's progress:

• The footpath and the concreting is taking shape
• The gabions have been created
• Our electrical contractor has started the cabling works (plus they have installed new cabling from the pumping station to it
• Bat survey / license complete
• Fencing contractor measure the perimeter for the fencing round the building

Here are some photos.

Good Morning,

Hope you had a good weekend.

Just thought I'd give you a quick up date and pop on some photos of the team taking advantage of the great weather last week.

• The brick and block work round the surge vessel progressed well.
• Access road leading into the over flow car park had all the kerbs repaired.
• In the sub station there was some clearing after the commissioning
• The fencing work speaks for it's self.......looks great.
• The subcontractor did some great metal work in the pumping station
• Tidying and strimming along the footpath

As I say lots of external work taking advantage of our crazy weather.

Good Morning All,

Well the huge crawler crane has now been removed from the pumping station area............my that was a huge beast!!

I'm guessing you have notice the fencing and the new building being erected in the field west to the pumping station. 

The team have been replacing/renewing the fencing alongside Kitty Burn and our contractor has done a great job. (have a look at the photo)

The building around the surge vessel is progressing and after talking to James he is confident the building will be complete by mid to late June and after which the internal fit will take place. We have tried to keep the look of building in keeping with the environment and I'm sure you will agree it is starting to look good. 

Again if you have any questions you would like to ask please feel free.

Good Morning,

You will have noticed there is a large "crawler crane" on site and this Friday 29th it is due to be removed.

This will happen around 11am and there will a disturbance on the main road for approximately an hour during that time. Please take a little more care if you are travelling nearby at that time.

Thanks for your understanding.