AECOM, in collaboration with the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Tweed Forum, is delivering one of the largest river restorations in the UK, the restoration of the River Breamish.
The River Breamish, part of the River Till, flows through Northumberland National Park and is a designated Special Area of Conservation due to its importance for species including Atlantic salmon, brown trout, sea trout, otters, and floating beds of water crowfoot, Ranunculus. However, a 3km reach near Harehope has been heavily realigned and degraded by past land use practices, including extensive straightening, and raised flood embankments. There have been structural failures in places, leading to frequent overtopping. It also affected the river’s morphology, ecology, and ability to support fish populations.
AECOM, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and other stakeholders, is delivering a detailed design to restore meanders to the river.
Sensitive design
Our role on the project was to provide engineering design services based on ecological and geomorphological assessments. The restoration design will restore the river's natural form and function while improving habitat quality for fish and other aquatic species. We worked closely with the project partners to ensure that the design was sensitive to the local environment and community needs.
Geomorphological modelling
Detailed designs based on geomorphological modelling were produced to re-meander the River Breamish for more than 2km, rehabilitating over 40 hectares of floodplains. Our design involves low-cost, high-gain strategic breaching of the embankments with large wood dams to deflect flows back into floodplain meanders. The project involved various assessments including archaeology, landscape, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, Biodiversity Net Gain, Water Framework Directive, and flood risk.
Restored natural form and function
The planning submissions for the scheme involve detailed stakeholder engagement, including presentations to landowners at their farm on the natural history of the river, the proposals for restoration, land use changes for habitat creation and associated Countryside Stewardship funding, and contractor activities.
The restored river will have re-naturalised form and function, with improved habitats for fish and other aquatic species. The project has had wider benefits for the local community, with a greater understanding of the importance of healthy rivers for both people and wildlife. Additional benefits include improved natural flood management, water quality, carbon sequestration, and benefits for fisheries.