The government reports that Atlantic salmon have been discovered on the River Ecclesbourne, a tributary of the River Derwent, Derbyshire for the first time since the Industrial Revolution following work carried out by the Environment Agency and its partners.

The discovery comes following the installation of fish passes on the River Derwent by the Environment Agency and Trent Rivers Trust which have helped to improve fish migration and allow the salmon to move upstream through the river.

Poor water quality and weirs on the River Derwent constructed in the Industrial Revolution acted as a barrier to fish migration and left them stuck in unsuitable water. Weirs not only stop fish migrating, but trap fish spawning gravels and create ponded areas upstream which are not suitable for riverine fish species.

Hyndburn Brook improvements set to bring Salmon to Accrington

Meanwhile, Ribble Rivers Trust has launched an exciting river improvement scheme on the River Hyndburn between Clayton-Le-Moors and Great Harwood, to help migrating salmon, trout and eels bypass the historic Oakenshaw weir, thanks to support from the EU LIFE funded Natural Course project and other Ribble Life Together partners.

Bypassing the weir will allow migrating fish to reach habitat inaccessible since at least 1844 when the weir supplied water for the Oakenshaw Printworks. A specially designed channel will be constructed to bypass the weir, transforming 1.3kilometres of river. The channel will be complemented by education projects in local schools and 1.24 hectares of new woodland, to be planted by volunteers later this year.

Hyndburn Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Education, Leisure and Arts, Cllr Ken Moss, said:

“In Hyndburn our rivers, woodlands and public spaces are often overlooked, yet they’re fantastic! This project will make a huge difference at Oakenshaw Weir, and it will be great to see the work the schools and volunteers achieve. I’m also looking forward to the follow-on projects, and getting Salmon upstream to Accrington!”

The project is a flagship scheme within the Ribble Life Together programme – delivering a healthier river system for the benefit and enjoyment of local communities and wildlife.

The Ribble Rivers Trust are leading the project, working in partnership with The PROSPECTS Foundation, Hyndburn Borough Council and community representatives. The £128,000 project has been funded by national lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Environment Agency, Natural Course – an EU LIFE funded project, and the Windfall Fund – a partnership between EnegieKontor and The PROSPECTS Foundation.