Programme of measures for Upper Costa Beck 2026

Why we are consulting on a programme of measures for Upper Costa Beck 

The Secretary of State’s decision to approve an update to the 2022 Humber River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) was subject to a claim for Judicial Review. The claim focussed on the programme of measures as it applies to the Upper Costa Beck.   

A Consent Order to settle the claim was agreed between the relevant parties. The Consent Order requires the Environment Agency to prepare an updated programme of measures and proposed Humber RBMP as they apply to Upper Costa Beck and submit them to the Secretary of State for approval.  

This consultation is one of the required steps in that process. 

Water body ID: GB104027068480

Summary of recent activity in the Upper Costa Beck 

(‘Costa Beck from Source to Pickering Beck’ water body (GB104027068480)) 

Since the publication of an updated programme of measures for Costa Beck in September 2024, technical, regulatory and partnership activity has been carried out across the Costa Beck catchment to take forward those measures and improve the evidence base. This work has informed this updated water body programme of measures for Costa Beck. 

Routine water quality monitoring has continued across Costa Beck, as well as environmental permit compliance monitoring of the several discharge consents in the catchment. Water quality monitoring has contributed to updated 2025 Water Framework Directive (WFD) classifications for Costa Beck and these latest results have informed the content of the programme of measures. 

Regulatory visits to commercial fisheries in the Costa Beck catchment have been carried out to provide advice, assess compliance with discharge permits, and ensure operators understand their responsibilities. As part of the previous programme of measures a refreshed enforcement strategy for commercial fisheries in the catchment was also developed, clarifying regulatory expectations, outlining enforcement options and sanctions proportionate to non-compliances and ensuring future actions align with the Regulators’ Code and achieve improved environmental outcomes.  

Geomorphology investigations in the water body catchment were carried out by Environment Agency specialists. Investigations comprised of preliminary desk studies in April 2024 and two subsequent field visits in April and June 2025. The purpose of the investigation was to improve understanding of the geomorphology of the water body, including the pressures affecting its form and functioning, and by extension its ecology, and identify opportunities to tackle these pressures and support delivery of the water body’s objectives. This work was detailed in a Geomorphology Report produced in August 2025. This report has been used to refine and add detail to the required mitigation measures, ensuring that interventions are precisely targeted to address the most significant sources of impact to the ecology in Costa Beck.

Significant agricultural pollution prevention improvements representing around £160,000 of investment have been delivered across three key farms in the catchment, including new slurry systems, improved manure management and yard roofing. Further improvements and site-specific sediment reduction advice is ongoing, with additional visits planned. These will focus on promoting the importance of nutrient management plans on farms and investigating sediment runoff pathways (e.g. surface runoff and subsurface drainage) to determine the most effective measures. This will be particularly focussed on the Middleton Drain, Black Syke, and Twelve Foot Cut tributaries. This additional work was highlighted following the Geomorphology Report produced in August 2025. 

Early engagement with catchment partners has been undertaken to gather feedback on the updated programme of measures. This has helped shape realistic, locally supported measures, identify opportunities for collaborative delivery and has ensured the updated programme of measures is aligned with wider catchment initiatives.  

Updated programme of measures for the Upper Costa Beck

Please review the proposed updated programme of measures for the Upper Costa Beck and respond to the consultation question, below.