Northumberland bridge work helps salmon return home

[Editor]

Salmon and sea trout can now reach their spawning grounds in the upper River East Allen near Catton in Northumberland for the first time in hundreds of years.

The footings of Allenmill Bridge, near Allendale, had prevented many salmon and sea trout from swimming upstream since medieval times, however a fish pass has now been built which has opened up new areas of spawning habitat.

The Environment Agency discussed the need for the pass with Northumberland County Council, and the authority agreed to undertake the additional work as part of a major refurbishment of the structure.

Environment Agency fisheries officer Gareth Pedley said: “The River East Allen is an important tributary of the River Tyne, but the bridge footings were so large that fish could only get past them when the river levels were very high.

“The pass means more salmon and trout will have access to good spawning grounds in the upper river which is good news for the River Tyne, and in turn is good news for anglers and the North East economy. Since work on the pass finished last month, a good number of sea trout have already been spotted in the pool upstream.”

The Tyne is the best salmon river in England and Wales and studies have shown that each rod-caught salmon can generate as much as £4,600 for the local economy. Along with salmon, Northumbrian sea trout and brown trout stocks provide excellent fishing opportunities for both local and visiting anglers.

Simon Rudman, structures team manager for Northumberland County Council said: “The County Council are always willing to assist the Environment Agency in reducing the number of obstructions to fish passage on our network of rivers. In this instance the Emergency Works to repair the extensive flooding damage to Allenmill Bridge presented us with an opportunity to incorporate a bespoke fish pass into the works at little additional cost and disruption to the aquatic environment.”

Environment Agency staff will now monitor the fish in the upper River East Allen to see how successful the pass has been.