Work to repair eroded banks at Rutland Water is due to start next month. Photo courtesy of Stamford Mercury.

Work to protect the shorelines at Rutland reservoir is due to start next month. The work is part of a £10 million, two year project, to secure more than 18km of shoreline at three drinking water reservoirs across the Anglian Water region.

In total around eleven kilometres of Rutland’s shoreline will be protected from erosion by using a porous matting.  

Kevin Appleton, Anglian Water Visitor Operations Manager, said: “This is an important project across a number of our reservoirs to ensure they remain in great condition for all to enjoy.  

“Rutland is a vital part of the local community and an exceptional habitat for wildlife. This is why we want to engage with the local community to explain what we are doing and why.”  

A drop in session is being hosted at the Egleton Bird Watching Centre next Thursday, 3 May, between 4pm and 7pm, to allow residents to ask questions about the project and learn how the work will be carried out.    

Kevin added: “It may be hard to believe that you can get coastal like erosion in landlocked Rutland, but the effects of the wind on these large bodies of open water often causes waves which overtime cause some undercutting of the embankments and leads to small collapses on some of the banks.  

“Our reservoirs serve an industrial purpose, but they are also tremendous habitats for all kinds of wildlife. A lot of work has gone into planning this project to ensure that disruption to residents, water park users and local wildlife is kept to a minimum.  

“Regrettably, with a project of this scale some disruption is inevitable. Sections of the footpath on the south shore of Hambleton peninsula will need to be closed for part of this project – between May and June - with a short section closed from May until August.”  

Work will involve smoothing down the cliff-like banks and using a geo-textile matting to secure the shoreline. This will then be covered with rocks to help break the wave’s impact.  

“When first laid the matting may not be overly attractive,” said Kevin. “But once the vegetation grows through it, the shoreline will look as it usually does. In fact we hope that once the vegetation has bedded in the area will be even better!”