Restoration of the River Breamish and Pow Burn at Hedgeley will enhance biodiversity, improve water quality and reconnect the river with its floodplain, supporting delivery of the wider River Till Restoration Strategy
The River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project is a landscape-scale initiative to restore the natural function of the river and its floodplain at Hedgeley. Over time, many rivers like the Breamish have been altered through straightening, embankments and drainage works. These changes were often introduced for land management and flood protection, and in many cases served an important purpose. However, over time, some of these features no longer perform their original function and now restrict the river’s ability to function as a healthy, natural system.
This project aims to respond by reconnecting the river with its floodplain and allowing natural processes to play a greater role in shaping a landscape that will be more resilient to a changing climate. Across the site, a range of carefully designed interventions will be delivered which work with nature and natural processes, including:
- creating new ‘chute’ channels that allow water to flow more naturally across the floodplain during certain flow conditions
- reconnecting existing ponds and wetland areas back to the river
- lowering sections of artificial ditch embankment so water can spill out into the floodplain, rewetting areas that will naturally form mosaic wetland habitats
- removal of redundant hard engineering bank protection to allow the river to naturally move laterally across its floodplain
- introducing natural materials such as large woody debris to support habitat and flow diversity
- enhancing and creating public access routes through the landscape to respond to a changing climate
Together, these changes will help the river behave more like a natural system again. Water will be able to spread out, slow down and move across the valley floor, rather than being confined to a single fixed channel. Instead of forcing the river into a fixed shape, the project creates the conditions for the river to adapt and evolve over time. As the site develops, it may be possible to see multiple channels forming, seasonal wetland areas appearing, and a more dynamic and varied landscape emerging.
We have provided links below which will take you straight to the relevant section on this page:
Why is this project needed?
What will the benefits be?
Public access
Managing our impact on the environment
Timeline
Working safely
Who is delivering the project?
Why is this project needed?
Rivers like the Breamish should be naturally dynamic systems. Over time, they should move, shift and interact with their floodplains, creating a rich and varied landscape of channels, wetlands and habitats. However, across much of the UK, rivers have been heavily modified. At Hedgeley, historic changes such as hard engineering, drainage works and the construction of embankments have confined the river to a single-channel fixed course and disconnected it from its floodplain.
While these modifications are often introduced for practical reasons such as land management, they have reduced the river’s ability to function as a healthy natural system and, in most cases, the modifications no longer serve their original purpose. At Hedgeley, this has led to a number of challenges:
- the river channel has become overdeepened in places, meaning water is held within the channel rather than interacting with the surrounding floodplain
- water moves through the landscape more quickly, particularly during high rainfall, increasing pressure on the river system
- sediment is often carried straight through the system rather than settling out naturally, reducing the river’s ability to build and maintain healthy habitats
- the river is largely disconnected from its floodplain and is unable to spill out and release energy during higher flows
- the river has limited space to adjust, move and respond to natural changes over time
- wetland habitats have been reduced or isolated and the overall diversity of the landscape has declined, all of which has a negative impact on wildlife
Over time, this will have affected water quality, habitat diversity and the overall resilience of the river system. The River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project aims to address these issues by giving the river more space and freedom to behave naturally. By reconnecting the river with its floodplain, the project will help restore the processes that are necessary for a river to function as a river should.
What will the benefits be?
The River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project is designed to restore the natural processes that allow the river and floodplain to function as a healthy, connected system. Over time, this is expected to deliver a range of environmental and community benefits.
A healthier, more natural river
- the river will be able to reconnect with its floodplain, allowing water to spread out during higher flows rather than being confined to a single channel
- flow energy will be reduced as water moves more slowly across the landscape
- sediment will be able to settle and be stored naturally, helping to rebuild river features such as bars, pools and wetlands
- the river will regain space to move and adjust over time, creating a more dynamic and resilient system and more space for water
- increased floodplain connectivity will allow water to be stored across the valley floor during wetter periods, this helps reduce pressure within the main channel and supports natural flood management processes
- water will be held in the landscape for longer, supporting soils, vegetation and wetland habitats
Benefits for habitats and wildlife
- a greater variety of habitats will develop, including wetlands, backwaters, side channels and seasonally wet grassland
- improved river condition will benefit wildlife including fish, birds, amphibians and invertebrates as well as aquatic plants
- reconnected habitats will create a more diverse and functioning ecosystem across the site
A more resilient landscape
- the restored river will be better able to respond to changing weather patterns, including both high rainfall and drier periods
- natural processes will help maintain the system over time, reducing the need for future intervention
- the landscape will continue to evolve, becoming more stable and self-sustaining
Benefits for people
- public access routes will be maintained, and in some areas improved, to ensure safe and enjoyable use of the site
- the landscape will become more varied and interesting, with visible changes through the seasons
- opportunities for learning and engagement with the river and its wildlife will be enhanced through a series of education and interpretation stations.
Public access
Public access is an important part of this landscape, and the project is committed to maintaining safe access wherever possible throughout the works. However, due to the nature of the construction activities, some temporary changes will be necessary to ensure the safety of both the public and those working on site. A Public Rights of Way (PROW) access management plan has been developed in coordination with Northumberland County Council. This sets out how access will be managed, including temporary closures, diversions and signage throughout the works.
What to expect during the works
During the construction period, you may notice:
- temporary closures of sections of Public Rights of Way within the project area – this should be limited to 1-2 day periods
- clearly signed diversion routes to maintain access through and around the site will be available
- machinery and construction activity within the floodplain
- areas of uneven or disturbed ground
- changes to familiar routes and viewpoints
All closures and diversions will be clearly signposted on site. Please follow all signage and respect temporary restrictions, which are in place for your safety.
Access will be managed in phases to minimise disruption where possible.
What to expect after the works
Once the works are complete, public access across the site will be maintained and, in some areas, improved.
You can expect:
- a new 3 metre wide public bridleway providing a more resilient and accessible route through the site
- enhancements to existing PROW-Footpath 119/019 on the Pow Burn and Bridleway 119/002 running through the centre of the site, making routes more robust to wet conditions and changing river behaviour
- improved connections between paths across the floodplain
- a more varied and natural landscape to enjoy throughout the year
- some permissive access routes may no longer be accessible during times of peak river flows (approx. 2-4 days per year) to enable new chute channels to become active and reconnect with the floodplain.
The landscape will take time to fully establish. In the early stages, some areas may appear recently worked or unsettled. This is a normal part of the restoration process, and over time the site will develop into a more diverse and natural river and floodplain environment.
The following maps are available for you to view (please click on links to enlarge/open):
Overview of existing access at site
(single map)
Proposed new access creation map/drawing
(single map)
Proposed diversionary routes/closures
(4 page document)
Managing our impact on the environment
Protecting the river, wildlife, aquatic plants and the surrounding landscape is central to how this project has been designed and will be delivered. Extensive ecological surveys and assessments have been carried out to understand the site and identify any potential risks. These findings have informed both the design of the project and how the works will be carried out on the ground.
A range of measures will be in place to ensure that any impacts are carefully managed and minimised.
Protecting wildlife
- works will be planned to avoid sensitive periods for wildlife wherever possible, including the bird nesting season
- pre-construction checks will be carried out to identify any active nests or protected species
- appropriate buffers and exclusion zones will be used where required
The project has been designed to enhance habitats in the long term, supporting wildlife such as birds, fish, amphibians and invertebrates.
Fish and river health
- all in-channel works will be carefully controlled and undertaken in suitable flow conditions
- measures will be in place to manage sediment and maintain water quality during construction
- the design maintains and improves connectivity within the river system, supporting fish movement over the long term
The restoration works are designed to help create a more natural river environment, improving habitat for species such as Atlantic salmon and lamprey.
Otters and other protected species
- surveys have been undertaken to identify the presence of protected species such as otter
- works will be planned and managed to avoid disturbance where these species are present
- construction activities will follow agreed environmental safeguards at all times
Working responsibly
All works will be carried out in line with a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which sets out how environmental risks will be managed on site. This plan is reviewed by Northumberland County Council, the Environment Agency and Natural England prior to works commencing and works can only begin once this has been approved. This includes:
- pollution prevention measures
- biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of invasive non-native species
- defined working areas to minimise disturbance
- ongoing monitoring throughout the works
Looking to the future
While there will be some short-term disturbance during construction, the project is designed to deliver long-term environmental benefits. Over time, the restored river and floodplain will support a greater diversity of habitats and species, creating a healthier and more resilient landscape.
Timeline
The River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project will be delivered over a single construction period, with some preparatory work taking place in advance. The timeline below provides an overview of what to expect.
Pre-construction (Spring – Summer 2026)
- Final surveys and site checks
- Preparation of access routes and site compounds
- Installation of signage and public access management measures
Construction Phase (Late Summer – Early Autumn 2026)
- Main construction works carried out within the river channel and floodplain
- Creation of new channels, wetland features and habitat enhancements
- Temporary Public Rights of Way closures and diversions in place
- Works will be carefully timed to take place during suitable weather and river conditions, and to minimise impacts on the environment and public access
Post-construction (Autumn 2026 onwards)
- Removal of temporary site compounds and reinstatement of working areas
- Establishment of vegetation and natural recovery of the landscape
- Public access routes fully reopened
- Ongoing monitoring of the project site
Working safely
Your safety, and the safety of those working on site, is our top priority. Construction activities involving machinery, excavation works and changing ground conditions will take place across the river channel and floodplain. For this reason, some areas of the site will be temporarily restricted during the works.
Please help us keep everyone safe by:
- following all on-site signage and diversion routes
- respecting temporary closures and fenced-off areas
- keeping a safe distance from machinery and active work areas
- keeping dogs under close control at all times
- taking extra care on uneven or recently disturbed ground
Clearly marked routes will be maintained wherever possible, and all access changes will be signposted.
Who is delivering the project?
Several organisations are working together to deliver the River Breamish and Pow Burn Restoration Project and improve the health and condition of the River Till catchment, with the River Till Restoration Partnership – a long-standing collaboration between Tweed Forum, the Environment Agency and Natural England – taking a lead role.
The Partnership works closely with landowners, farmers and local stakeholders to develop and deliver restoration projects that balance environmental improvement with the needs of the working landscape. At Hedgeley, the project is being delivered with the invaluable support of Hedgeley Estate and George Dodds & Co, who have played a key role in enabling and shaping the project on the ground. The detailed design of the restoration works has been developed by river restoration consultants Dynamic Rivers.
This project is funded by the Environment Agency, Tweed Forum and NWL Bluespaces
