Northumbrian Water's £26m Springwell Indoor Reservoir Sparks Resident Outrage in Tyne and Wear

Residents of Springwell Village in Tyne and Wear are upset over a massive indoor reservoir built near their homes that they say looks like a "Soviet nuclear bunker." The £26 million Springwell Service Reservoir, measuring 100m by 75m and 9m high, can hold 9.5 million gallons of water, enough to supply 50,000 homes via 3.4 miles of underground pipes. Although Northumbrian Water initially promised to cover the roof with grass to blend with the landscape, aerial photos show it topped with 2,400 tonnes of grey gravel, which locals describe as an "ugly eyesore" that disrupts the area's wildlife corridor and natural beauty. Residents also complain about years of construction disturbance from heavy machinery and excavation. Northumbrian Water defended the gravel roof as necessary to protect the tank's integrity, but critics remain dissatisfied with the visual impact and the failure to keep the original promise of a grassy roof. The project was delayed from its expected completion in 2024 to 2026, further frustrating the community.