The EA report:
Improvements to the Ladybridge Weir, which currently acts as a barrier to fish, started in March this year and have faced snow, floods and more recently a heat wave.
The work has involved installing a fish pass, which uses a set of plates or ‘baffles’ set within a concrete channel. The baffles slow the water down and create water conditions which make it easier for fish to pass. There is also a special section to allow eels to migrate through the fish pass. These improvements mean that fish and eels can move freely upstream to reach spawning grounds, where they once were unable to.
Christopher Grzesiok, Fisheries Technical Specialist for the Environment Agency said:
“Construction of this fish pass at Ladybridge Weir is part of a regional programme of works by the Environment Agency to improve fish migration over man-made barriers in our rivers. During the works, many fish have been seen by the construction crew trying to jump the weir. This shows the importance of installing a fish passage at Ladybridge Weir.
The new fish pass opens up over 37 km of river to migrating fish and it will increase the number of fish using the river. We’re delighted to be able to do this as it will bring significant benefits to the local environment and wildlife in future years.”
The work is being carried out under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) which aims to protect and improve the quality of water environments, helping to support habitats and the wildlife which depends on them.
