22/10/2026
Bit of a long one. But explains what’s going on in the park over the next few months. Looks like access to some parts of the park is going to be restricted. Please, please still visit us during this time.
Watergate Park Reservoir
Spillway Improvement Works
What’s happening and why?
The lake in Watergate Park is actually a reservoir, and we’ve been informed by the Environment Agency that the reservoir is not up to standard under the 1975 Reservoir Act and needs to be improved to reduce the risk to life downstream.
If Gateshead Council does not carry out the necessary improvement works, the Environment Agency will issue an enforcement notice and the improvement works will be completed by the Environment Agency, at a significant cost to Gateshead Council.
• The improvement works needed are for both embankments of the reservoir spillway - re-profiling the banks to allow a greater volume of water in the channel and prevent the erosion of the spillway embankment in the event of flooding.
• The footpath across the top of the spillway will also be relaid to prevent damage in the event of a flood.
• The footbridge crossing the spillway, currently closed, will be replaced using treated timber – a longer lasting material than the previous bridge.
Which paths are closed? What are the diversions?
The main path and bridleway to the south of the reservoir, part of the Tanfield Railway Path, will be closed off while the work is happening, along with paths south of the spillway towards the A692. Park users will be signposted to divert to the paths north of the reservoir.
Our contractor Esh is doing all they can to maintain access whenever possible, including to the football pitches and Watergate Café.
Timeline
Work will start on Monday 26th October 2026, at the start of the half term holiday, aiming to finish in January 2027.
The team from Esh will normally be working Monday to Friday, from around 7.30am to 4pm each day.
Additional information / Notes to editors:
• The Environment Agency started to look closely at reservoirs and large bodies of water across the country, following a crisis event in Derbyshire.
• In 2019 the dam at the Toddbrook Reservoir in Derbyshire saw significant damage, nearly causing a catastrophic breach that would have devastated the nearby town. The dam had to be shored up as an emergency to allow repairs to be carried out.
• The Environment Agency has approached Gateshead Council, explaining that the Watergate Park lake was not up to specification as a reservoir.
• The council was issued with a compliance action plan (CAP) obliging action to get the reservoir up to standard, with 12 conditions to be met.
• We are now working to future proof the reservoir to Category A, to address future development downstream and the potential increase in risk to life.
• The work will allow the reservoir to cope with up to a 1 in 10,000 year event – a catastrophic event posing a risk to life.
• The council will ensure access is maintained for Emmanuel College staff and students, as well as for Whickham Fellside FC, and for park users to reach the Watergate Café.
