A MAJOR barrier to fish movement in the upper River Aire has been removed – which complements a scheme which will enable salmon to return to Skipton and above in the coming years.

Coniston Cold weir, 1.5 miles upstream of Gargrave, was taken down over two days in a partnership project led by Professor Jonny Grey of the Wild Trout Trust, with support from Aire Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency, the landowner and tenant farmer.

The Aire Rivers Trust has worked with the owners of the weir over several years and when the opportunity came to demolish it both they and the tenant farmer were very supportive.

It has opened up passage to Bell Busk and Otterburn Beck, which allows fish of all species free movement to about 15 miles of habitat.

The removal of the weir is being done in advance of the DNAire - Developing the Natural Aire project – which will see fish passes fitted to four large weirs along the Aire at Armley, Kirkstall, Newlay and Saltaire.

They are the last significant barriers on the Aire for migratory fish, such as salmon, sea trout and eels, getting up the River Aire to spawn.

Prof Grey, a research and conservation officer for the Wild Trout Trust, said: “We expect the numbers of individual fish to equal out over time and hopefully the number of species to increase because they now have free access.

“It was fascinating to see minnows migrating upstream past our feet as soon as we opened up the first bit of the channel.

“Allowing the small species like minnow to move whenever and wherever they want is every bit as important as looking after the salmon or eel which tend to grab the headlines.”

Funding for the project came from the Environment Agency’s Fisheries Improvement Programme.

Environment Agency fisheries officer Pete Turner said: “Now Coniston Cold weir has been removed we can let nature take its course. The river will take its own path and scour a more natural channel over time.

“Working with the Wild Trout Trust and Aire Rivers Trust we are creating significant long term benefits for one of Yorkshire’s longest rivers.”