The Environment Agency has been awarded a £309,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), toward a partnership that is helping restore the biodiversity of the River Aire at Castleford.
The funding from HLF will contribute toward the installation of a fish pass as part of the Castleford Regeneration Project.
Working with Groundwork Wakefield, Castleford Riverside Community Group, British Waterways and Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, the Castleford Regeneration Project aims to reconnect the people of Castleford with the river.
The effects of industry and mining have taken its toll on Yorkshire’s rivers, but after 200 years salmon are now returning to the River Aire.
Castleford Weir, built to balance the needs of the industry and navigation, also had a negative effect by blocking the migration of fish. With no food source, this left the rivers unattractive to species such as otter and kingfishers. With improving conditions of the river and increased stocks of fish, the area can once again become a haven for wildlife.
The proposed fish pass is placed on or around man-made barriers such as dams and weirs that allow fish to move upstream. At Castleford, fish will be able to pass through the weir by swimming and leaping up a series of relatively low steps into the waters on the other side.
Darren Starkey, environment management team leader said: “This funding from the HLF will greatly benefit the Castleford Regeneration Project, allowing us to work with our partners to create a better place for wildlife and local residents.â€
Dr Fiona Spiers, Heritage Lottery Fund Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This project will create a lasting legacy. Not only will it bring back lost wildlife to the rivers, it will also regenerate the waterfront by bringing back 6km of riverbank to the people of Castleford.
“Few people realise that every lottery ticket they buy can help save the UK’s wildlife but in the past 12 years we’ve awarded over £200million to environmental projects.â€
The Environment Agency will monitor the biodiversity improvements and the fish population, using hydro-acoustic techniques and information from angling catch returns.
There will be plenty of chances for the public to see the new fish pass in action with a new bridge for people to view from and a live webcam. For those wanting to learn more, there will be information about the impact of industry on the environment and ecology of the river.
Construction of the fish pass will begin summer 2006.
