Shropshire Star

Work on Ludlow weirs will see salmon leap for joy

Work is due to begin on improving passage for fish on two weirs in Ludlow.

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The work, undertaken by the Severn Rivers Trust, is to improve the populations of all fish across the River Teme Site of Special Scientific Interest, and in particular the Atlantic salmon.

Works on Mill Street Weir on the River Teme will begin on July 30 and on the weir at Linney on the River Corve on August 13. The work will take around almost three months to complete.

Tony Bostock, chief executive officer of the Severn Rivers Trust said, “The two fish passes being constructed will allow all fish species found in this stretch of the river to migrate upstream to spawn.

"In recent years, the Environment Agency have had to undertake a number of emergency activities to assist salmon in their migration in Ludlow; this project will allow fish to move freely. We are delighted that so many people have come together to support this work and protect our rivers”.

On Whitcliffe Common there may be temporary closures to the Bread Walk path but these will be kept to a minimum. There will be no other footpath closures associated with either project but there will be machinery on site.

The project is supported by the Environment Agency, Natural England, The Friends of Whitcliffe Common, The Teme Weirs Trust, the owners of the weir at Linney and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Environment Agency, the Jean Jackson Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Banister Foundation.

This work is all part of the Severn Rivers Trust Springs of Rivers Project which is working to restore the River Teme SSSI for the benefit of wildlife and communities..