A multi-million-pound project which will help rare eel species in Northumberland to thrive has begun.
Northumbrian Water are installing screens in the River Tyne between Wylam and Ovingham, in order to protect European Eel species.
The work, which involves an £11 investment, 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 work follows a £5m project in the area which will help resilience of supplies.
The project, which is being carried out with contract partners Mott MacDonald Bentley, will see the use of a very large crane on the site – meaning there will be deliveries over a two-week period beginning on 5 June 2023.
Tina Robinson, Project Manager for Northumbrian Water, said: “This is a very important project which is set to significantly help the local environment and wildlife in the area.
“It will also be a great way to ensure that our local water resources, which feed into households across the Newcastle and Tyneside areas, can continue to be resilient as we face hotter summers each year.
“As an environmentally responsible company, it’s important for us to invest in the wildlife in our region – and hopefully over the next decade we will see a flourish in European eels.
“The local community have been incredibly patient while we have carried out work here recently to our pumping station, and we would like to thank them again as we start this new section of work.”
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