Northumbrian Water begins £4M investment to boost supply resilience in Northumberland

Northumbrian Water has started work on a major infrastructure project aimed at improving water supply reliability across parts of Northumberland, with a new 6.6km pipeline forming a key element of the investment.

The £4 million scheme will connect Hedgeley Reservoir to the Wandylaw and North Charlton reservoir network, increasing the capacity of the local water system and helping to meet growing demand during peak periods.

The utility says the project will strengthen resilience across the region by improving the movement of water through the network and reducing the need for emergency tankering during periods of high consumption, particularly during the summer months.

Construction is now underway and is expected to continue through to summer 2027. The works are being delivered by Northumbrian Water’s infrastructure partner, United Infrastructure.

The latest investment follows previous upgrades in the area, including a £1.1 million project that installed more than three kilometres of new water main between Eglingham Village and West Ditchburn.

Northumbrian Water believes the combined projects will provide greater flexibility across the network while supporting future demand from homes, businesses and local communities.

Rachael Graves, project manager at Northumbrian Water, said:

“This investment will help strengthen the water network serving the Eglingham and North Charlton area, improving reliability and helping us meet customer demand more effectively, particularly during the busy summer months.”

To facilitate the work, a series of temporary road closures will be required over the coming year. The first phase will affect the C84 between Playwell Road and Beanley Moor Junction until December.

A second phase of highway restrictions is planned between January and July 2027 on the C82 route between Hedgeley Crossroads and Eglingham Junction.

Following completion of the pipeline installation along highway corridors, the project will move into a second stage involving works across agricultural land between West Ditchburn and North Charlton.

The scheme forms part of wider efforts by water companies to improve network resilience, address future demand pressures and reduce reliance on operational interventions during periods of increased consumption.

Once complete, the new pipeline is expected to provide additional flexibility within the regional water network and help secure long-term water supplies for communities across this part of Northumberland.