Project to revitalise Bradford Beck moves forward (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Views wanted on future of historic waterway

8:00am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News By James Rush, T&A Reporter

Residents have been urged to give their views on the future of Bradford Beck – once dubbed the “filthiest river in Britain” but now being revitalised.

A management plan is being developed by the Aire Rivers Trust to improve the long-neglected waterway.

The beck runs for 11km from the hills on the West of the city to the River Aire at Shipley , running underground from Ingleby Road to its outfall in Canal Road.

The process of revitalising it is being tackled in a variety of ways including clean-ups, channel clearing and creating a better environment for people and wildlife. It also involves working in partnership with Bradford Council, the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water .

Volunteers have been working hard on the project, and the trust is keen to involve members of the public in the catchment plan.

Bradford Beck project manager Michael Canning said the project was progressing.

He said: “We have done sessions on invasive plants that are around the beck and we have got a session coming up where people can learn to identify the river flies. The river flies are a very important biological indicator – it’s what the Environment Agency use as part of their diagnostic to see how a river is doing.”

Mr Canning said the reaction to the project revealed the desire of people to look after the natural world. He said: “I’m humbled by it. What it says to me is people are very concerned about water and they are very concerned about the wider natural world.”

People are invited to the first round of consultations on Wednesday from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Shipley, and from 7pm to 8.30pm at Cafe West, Wanstead Crescent, Allerton .

For more information contact Mr Canning on 07966 390407 or e-mail michael.canning @aireriverstrust.org.