Ullswater Valley has suffered three major flooding events in the last 10 years. The most recent of which, Storm Desmond in 2015, saw widespread flooding across Cumbria.

The area of Hartsop was significantly impacted, with many bridges and embankments significantly damaged.

The National Trust developed a programme of river restoration works and bridge replacements to improve access and increase farm and local business resilience in the area.

Kirkstone, Caudale and Dovedail becks required significant restoration following deteriorating embankments, failed sections and damage to bridges and retaining walls. The works were essential to improve watercourse management, protect nearby residential and agricultural buildings, and restore safe access to Hartsop Hall Farm.

Works included re-meandering the three watercourses, constructing and repairing embankments using site-won materials, and creating river widenings, wandering zones and in-river islands. Stone riffles, boulder bars and rapids were introduced to slow water flow and improve channel diversity, alongside tree clearance and excavation around existing trees.

A new double-span bridge was constructed over Kirkstone Beck, featuring stone-clad concrete abutments, steel spans, reinforced concrete decks, timber parapet handrails and 80m of concrete approach roads. A single-span steel bridge with stone-clad concrete abutments and a Dutch oak sleeper deck was also installed over Caudale Beck, alongside repaired and reinforced dry-stone retaining walls protecting the riverbanks.