Spawning salmon delay Ludlow park revamp

Plans to redevelop a riverside park in south Shropshire have been delayed by spawning salmon. Work on the Linney in Ludlow has been brought to a temporary halt by the fish swimming up the River Teme.

Environment Agency regulations state no riverside work can be carried out during the spawning period.

The scheme for the Linney Riverside Park includes a new children's play area and carrying out riverbank repairs caused by erosion.

As work cannot now begin until spring, Ludlow Town Council has asked residents for ideas on how they would like the project to develop.

The council has already consulted with youngsters aged from three to 16.

Ludlow Mayor Councillor John Aitken said: "The work has been held up since the end of September, when it will start depends on the weather.

"I think it has been envisaged that we will start work by the end of winter."

He added: "The salmon move upstream from October to November and it's one of the Environment Agency limitations that there can't be riverside work while that is going on."

The council has been given a grant of £32,000 by Shropshire Council towards the project and has an application in with a partnership organisation for £50,000.

Mr Aitken said there had been about eight to 10ft of erosion to the riverbank.