The Rivers Trust was pleased to learn (20^th March 2025) that Ofwat has concluded its investigation into Yorkshire Water, resulting in a £40m redress package.

It was announced that the £40m package will be invested in Yorkshire, this would not be paid for by customers but by Yorkshire Water and its shareholders. Of the total amount, £3.4m will go to the Great Yorkshire Rivers partnership, which brings together 15 partners working together on an ambitious goal of addressing all significant artificial barriers (such as weirs and dams) in Yorkshire impacting fish migration by 2043.

Key projects taking place across Yorkshire as part of the partnership are being led by local delivery partners, including Rivers Trusts in the region, with a focus on removal of the structure and restoring natural processes. to encourage the recovery of our native fish species, improve water quality, and promote biodiversity to create better blue spaces for both nature and people.

Neil Trudgill, Regional Development Manager (Yorkshire) for The Rivers Trust said:

“By reinvesting this money in Yorkshire, even more projects will be delivered by Great Yorkshire Rivers partners across the county to support the recovery of our native fish species, provide healthier rivers for our wildlife, and a more diverse environment for people to enjoy.”