FISH can swim a little freer now in one of the city’s waterways after a mound of detritus was wrestled from its depths thanks to Friends of Bradford’s Becks volunteers.

The group of tidy-minded residents met at the beck at Poplar Road, near Frizinghall, recently, for a clean-up of the stretch between Valley Road and Crag Road, in Shipley.

Their haul from in and around the water included two shopping trolleys, a road sign a skate board and a child’s scooter. There was also a punch bag, numerous traffic cones and general city centre debris which had washed down.

The litter pick and habitat creation day was led by Helen Hornby, of the River Stewardship Company who are experts in riverside care and habitat management.

“To be honest I was a little disappointed that only six turned up to help, but we did manage to do a lot of clearing and that stretch of the beck is now a lot nicer to look at,” said Friends member Rob Hellawell.

“It is amazing that so much gathers and if it wasn’t for volunteers I suspect it would never be collected up. There were quite a few large objects and the usual bottles and cans which were picked up by Bradford Council mid-week.

“The Friends are affiliated to the Aire Rivers Trust, and are hoping to improve water quality generally, as well as coping with the aftermath of recent floods.

“What is worrying generally is that Bradford Beck is the only watercourse in West Yorkshire that is not improving as far as water quality goes.

“When there is heavy rain we get sewerage washing into it and tests have shown reductions in number of types of river creatures which are part of the eco-system and include caddis fly, May fly and stone flies. It is very worrying.

“It is something we are approaching Yorkshire Water about to try and rectify,” he said.

Bradford has several water courses that meet beneath the city, long since hidden in culverts. They have been neglected and abused since the Industrial Revolution, but following the decline of Bradford’s textile industry, and with the help of local residents and ecologists, they are slowly making a comeback. Bradford’s Becks now provide a safe haven for many different plants, insects, fish, birds and other wildlife. They also offer a valuable, calm and peaceful space, away from the bustle of city life, to many of Bradford’s residents.

On Wednesday a clean-up was carried out at Chellow Dene Beck, helped by volunteers from Dixon’s Academy.

And this Saturday, April 8, the group will meet at 10am for a three-hours clean-up of the River Aire at Saltaire.

Anyone wishing to go along and help should meet at the bridge over the River Aire at Higher Coach Road.

Litter pickers and gloves will be provided.

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