Rivers In England

Hexham road bridge weir is a threat to salmon

ACTION is needed so that a wartime legacy does not threaten the Tyne’s status as the best salmon river in England and Wales.

Many migratory fish such as salmon, sea trout, eels and some coarse species are finding it increasingly difficult to surmount the weir at Hexham road bridge in Northumberland.

Tyne Rivers Trust director Professor Malcolm Newson said that the rich gravel deposits on the bed of the Tyne were “mined” for reconstruction work on Tyneside after the Second World War.

“The river was an obvious source of gravel and many building firms had big concessions along the Tyne,” he said.

The subsequent action of the river and floodwaters on a river bed loosened by the gravel extraction had left levels below the Hexham weir much lower than those above, making it harder for fish to progress upstream to spawn.

“There is a clear gap in fishing records above and below Hexham bridge,” said Prof Newson.

Tyne Rivers Trust commissioned a study of the problem by Elliott Environmental Surveyors Ltd of Hexham. The study shows how a fish pass can be built under Hexham’s Tyne Bridge to help fish to pass the major obstruction.

The £380,000 pass is likely to consist of a series of metal chevrons on the weir, with funding being sought from the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority as part of a mitigation package to offset any potential impact on fish stocks of the construction of the second Tyne Tunnel. The authority paid for the study.

Trust chairman Andrew Davison said: “The need to correct the growing problem for fish passage at Hexham has long been recognised as a major priority for the river. If we don’t address it soon, then migrating fish are going to be severely threatened in their ability to spawn, resulting in major population declines.

“The feasibility study is a substantial step towards addressing this problem.

“This is a very important project because if we did nothing potentially it could become more and more of an issue in the longer term.

“If the project goes ahead it will help preserve the Tyne’s status as England’s best salmon river.”

The next step will be to seek approval from the Environment Agency and planning consent, with the hope that the pass can be created next year.

Prof Newson said: “This fish pass is fundamental to the health of the river and we must continue to do everything in our power to see that it is built as soon as we can.

£110 million revamp for England's rivers « Defra News

A £110 million revamp which will bring more otters, salmon and other fish back to England’s rivers was announced by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman today.

The money will be used to kick start restoration worth at least £600 million to improve the health of more than 880 lakes, streams and other water bodies, while boosting local involvement in caring for our blue spaces enjoyed by millions every year.

Announcing the funding, Mrs Spelman said:

“The health of our rivers has come along in leaps and bounds, but we still see nasty invasive weeds and lifeless waters blight blue spaces in cities and across our countryside.

“With this funding, we’ll help all our waterways and streams thrive by tackling problems that until now have been sitting in the ‘too hard’ basket.

“Our new grass-roots approach to boosting healthier waterways and flourishing wildlife has local experience and knowledge at its heart.”

Our Rivers campaign coordinator Ralph Underhill said:

“This announcement is fantastic news for our rivers and the wildlife they support.

“This new funding may not solve all the problems overnight but it is a significant step towards securing the future of the river environment in England and Wales which is under great pressure from a variety of threats including pollution and abstraction.

“Rivers are a national asset and in the current financial climate it is great to see a new investment being made in their future. We hope that a significant amount of the money announced will be spent on the rivers and wetland areas of international importance to conservation that the Government has committed itself to improving.”

£92 million will be provided over the next four years to remove non-native invasive weeds and animals, clear up pollution, and remove redundant dams, weirs, landings and other man-made structures so that wildlife can thrive in water catchments across England.

The funding will be shared between the Environment Agency, Natural England and civil society associations such as the Association of Rivers Trust to build on successful work, and a significant portion of the funding will support new local projects across the country through a Catchment Restoration fund.

Funding from the Catchment Restoration fund will be available from next year to co-fund projects that restore and protect the health of our water catchments by bringing together those responsible for causing pollution, with those who want to see cleaner waters and the agencies that provide scientific evidence to base decisions on.

Rivers of England, River Thames, List of Rivers of England, Mersey and Irwell Navigation, Fens Waterways Link, Association of Rivers Trusts

Travel Liverpool, England, UK: Illustrated Guide and Maps (Mobi Travel)

The book of English rivers, an account of the rivers of England and Wales, particularizing their respective courses, their most striking scenery, and the chief places of interest on their banks

The salmon and sea trout rivers of England and Wales

The legendary lore of the holy wells of England, including rivers, lakes, fountains and springs