• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Farm and Countryside

River Leith restoration project begins

by CWH
19 October 2020
in Farm and Countryside
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Work is under way on a major restoration partnership project on the River Leith that will restore natural processes which slow the flow of water during floods, store more during drought, provide habitat for wildlife and protect vital transport infrastructure.

@8pt Body:Running beside the West Coast Main Line at Thrimby is a stretch of the River Leith that does not function as a natural river should. Having been straightened in the past, it does not provide good conditions for wildlife or help help protect surrounding land and buildings from flooding.

Flowing at the foot of the embankment of a major railway line, it is also a little too close for comfort to the 46 passenger trains and seven freight trains that go past every 24 hours.

However, conservation charity Eden Rivers Trust is working in partnership with the Environment Agency, Natural England, the landowner, farmer and Network Rail on a £200,000 restoration scheme to safeguard this vital transport route, address flooding concerns and create valuable wildlife habitat.

Designed by environmental consultancy AquaUoS, with work carried out by a local contractor, Metcalfe Plant Hire, the scheme involves cutting a new 1km meandering river channel that flows away from the railway line.

The new river will be 33 per cent longer than the previously straightened one.

Other features found in natural rivers and on flood plains are also being introduced to slow the flow and/or store more water during times of flood and drought.

These features will help to reduce flood peaks at the farm itself, as well as downstream flood risk.

Meanders and in-stream features such as riffles will provide habitat for fish and insects, while moving the river away from the railway embankment will protect it from erosion and the effects of flooding.

Lev Dahl, river restoration manager with Eden Rivers Trust, said: “This is a really exciting project that is going to provide a huge range of benefits — increasing habitat, protecting the railway and reducing flood risk.

“As the project matures, it will also provide homes for a range of birds and mammal species.

“All of these benefits are set within a working sheep and beef farm. This provides a great example of how food production, nature conservation and the transport sector can work hand in hand.”

Olly Southgate, from the Environment Agency, said: “The Thrimby river restoration project is great example of how we can make a real difference on a large scale for both people and the environment by working in partnership with other organisations.

“Delivering river restoration work can provide a vast array of benefits not only for ecology, fish and biodiversity but also for contributing to natural flood management. This makes a real difference to people’s lives and to communities as a whole.”

Rory Kingdon, of Network Rail, added: “Pooling resources with Eden Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency to make the railway more resilient to climate change is a win-win for wildlife, passengers and freight users.”

This project is being delivered as part of the award-winning Cumbria River Restoration Programme, which is one of the biggest and most successful restoration programmes in the UK.

Related Posts

Carbon audit produces positive results for North Sheep host family
Farm and Countryside

Carbon audit produces positive results for North Sheep host family

13 June 2025
Farmers flock to North Sheep
Farm and Countryside

Farmers flock to North Sheep

6 June 2025
Sheep showing season begins
Farm and Countryside

Sheep showing season begins

30 May 2025
Appleby Show team rallies round as treasured event under threat
Farm and Countryside

Appleby Show team rallies round as treasured event under threat

16 May 2025
National honour for former Penrith mart manager
Farm and Countryside

National honour for former Penrith mart manager

9 May 2025
Fighting ‘the family farm tax’ with good financial planning
Expert advice

Fighting ‘the family farm tax’ with good financial planning

8 April 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Looking back through the archives

Looking back through the archives

20 June 2025
Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

21 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald