Hopebeck Deculverting

Case Study: Hopebeck Restoration – Lorton Area
Delivered on behalf of West Cumbria Rivers Trust

As the appointed contractor, we were proud to deliver river restoration works at Hopebeck, near Lorton, as part of West Cumbria Rivers Trust’s ongoing programme to improve river habitats and natural flood management in the region.

This project focused on daylighting an 85-metre stretch of beck that had previously been culverted beneath a field. The newly restored section was re-meandered to 180 metres, significantly increasing channel length and restoring the beck to its natural floodplain. This intervention not only helps to slow the flow and reduce downstream flood risk, but also provides substantial biodiversity benefits.

By opening the beck to the surface and re-establishing its connection with the surrounding landscape, the project has enabled fish passage to a further 415 metres of upstream habitat. In addition, a fish easement was installed downstream at a road culvert to further enhance connectivity, unlocking an additional 430 metres of valuable aquatic habitat.

This work represents a key example of how natural river restoration can deliver multiple benefits—for wildlife, flood resilience, and the local environment.

[This video shows the newly restored section of Hopebeck.]