Kettles Beck Ford Removal
September 2015
Several of our projects involve opening up manmade obstacles allowing the upstream movement of migratory fish and the downstream movement of substrate and gravels. The removal of the Kettles Ford barrier was always high on our wish list!
The Catchment Restoration Fund enabled us to prepare all documentation and plans to obtain Land Drainage Consent and Planning Permission and to manufacture the replacement bridge and deliver it to site.
By the end of September 2015 the ford had been removed and a bridge high enough for trout to leap and for cattle and machinery to pass over, was installed. With the help of our EA Catchment Co-ordinator we were able to obtain invaluable assistance from United Utilities and Amey Construction to remove the ford and connect the new drinking trough to an alternative water supply. Andy Croft and his team from the Environment Agency carried out a fish rescue prior to the ford being removed.
This project will open up a further 5 miles of main stem river to fish passage, with tributaries also becoming available to migratory fish. Comments on the project include:
We’re delighted to help. This important scheme will provide a boost to local wildlife and improve water quality. We take some water from the Upper Wenning for our customers. Improving the quality of the raw water means it needs less doing to it once it reaches our treatment works.
Sammy Nelson, United Utilities
This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when everyone works together. We are so grateful to United Utilities for coming to our aid and look forward to seeing improvements in Kettles Beck and the Wenning catchment.
Sarah Littlefield (now James)
This is a great example of true partnership working. All parties bring their own skills and experienced workforce and this just shows that together, so much can be achieved for the environment. This work will make such a difference to Kettles Beck and will contribute significantly to Water Framework Directive improvements.
Simon Bennett, Environment Agency.
It is hoped that the improved Kettles Beck will be used as an educational site for local colleges and schools, by involving students in monitoring the improvements up and downstream of Kettles Ford.