MOVES to encourage further conservation and prevent more pollution of the River Severn through Bridgnorth are revealed this week. The Severn Rivers Trust has received a £6,990 grant to run a project to measure and improve the river’s biological health and water quality.
The findings will be made known to the Environment Agency and to the Riverfly Partnership, a national organisation which has successfully prosecuted polluters. The action comes as concern grows over the state of Bridgnorth’s river, which has been described as a ‘national scandal’ by Robert Fisk-Moore, chairman of the Middle Severn Catchment Conservation group.
His group says that a sharp decline in water quality and a rise in the cormorant population is decimating the number of fish around Bridgnorth and in the Middle Severn. The group – which is urging action to clean up the river – has appealed to anglers to voice their concerns about the falling fish stocks and to co-operate with the EA to enhance the river’s habitat for fish and wildlife in the area.
Tony Bostock, director of the Severn Rivers Trust, said their forthcoming project would involve the length of river throughout Shropshire and Worcestershire, covering 4,500 square metres. “This will be done through regular sampling and monitoring of invertebrates that reside in identified sites of the river,” he explained. “The findings of the project will be used to encourage further conservation and prevent further pollution of the river. It is not just fish that is being affected, but also the birds that feed on the river’s insects, otters and other wildlife.”
The grant comes from the Lottery-funded Awards for All programme. “It is vital to the trust and will ensure that the project is delivered successfully, bringing great benefits to local communities, fisheries interests and schools within the Severn catchment,” he added.
The trust – which was recently awarded charitable status – was founded in 2008 with the aim of improving the management of the rivers, streams, water courses and water impoundments of the Severn catchment, for the benefit of the public generally and the conservation of the national
heritage.