An
historical perspective – a cycle of use and abuse
The river has played a pivotal role in the development of the area, providing food
and powering mills before the industrial revolution, supplying water and then, acting as a conduit to dispose of the polluting
wastes produced by the industries and communities developed along its banks. The direct impacts have been devastating for
the river’s aquatic life and even the indirect impacts, such as canalisation, in-channel weirs, drainage, etc, should
not be understated.
This cycle of
use then abuse continued to a point when the river was regarded as having little relevance to the communities, which had built
up along its banks. In the 1990’s, however, driven by Europe, efforts were made to start cleaning up the river. Investment
by Yorkshire Water continues and is now reaping rewards with the return of fish stocks and wildlife, including otters.
Alongside this, there was an undercurrent of renewed
interest in developing the river for the benefit of the surrounding communities. Initiated and developed by Environmental
Alliance, this continues with the Greenstreams Project now managed by Urban Mines. This has made steady
progress in achieving new public access, managing wildlife habitats and raising awareness of historical and cultural associations.
Even so, intermittent pollution incidents, the run
down nature of many riverside footpaths due to a lack of maintenance and large amounts of fly-tipped rubbish or over-flowing
skips at neighbouring commercial premises, are a barrier to progress. This discourages further legitimate use and encourages
illegal activities such as wire burning, leading to a spiral of decline. It is such problems that the Greenstreams Project
is addressing.
Wiers,
fish passage and salmon
The Calder and Colne Rivers Trust have been working hard to make the Atlantic Salmon’s
task easier along with groups like the Environment Agency, British Waterways, Yorkshire Water and Local Government.Latterly,
The Greenstreams Project has found out just how close he is to swimming right through the centre of Huddersfield on his way
to what would have been his traditional spawning grounds before the Industrial Revolution saw his demise with all the industrialisation
and pollution of our waterways.
Our industrial heritage is now being addressed and our water
quality has vastly improved with the investments made. Even to the extent that we are currently witnessing the natural return
of many species. Some you will know, like the Salmon and Otter for example. Whilst others are a little more obscure in their
life in the river corridor.
Why is the Salmon struggling then? :
Again this stems back to our industrial heritage, and its legacy that we are left
with, in the shape of man made blockages. These weirs were usually installed for one of two reasons, which were, to power
and service the mills and for holding back water to make it navigable by boat.If we simply remove the redundant weirs, or
bypass them if they are still in use, then we will open up the river to the style of its former glory and start a fresh chapter
in the biodiversity of the river corridor and close a chapter of redressing our industrial legacy. This would allow all sorts
of creatures to move both upstream and downstream with no impediment during their seasonal migration and we are currently
witnessing a vast difference where habitat improvement works have been completed.
How close is the Salmon to swimming through
Huddersfield? :
Well in July 2009 ‘several’ Salmon were seen valiantly trying to
‘leap’ the weir at the Old Corn Mill just upstream of Cooper Bridge….so they swam right past the Colne
…MAYBE?!
What are the Calder and Colne Rivers Trust proposing? :
We want Kirklees communities, via Greenstreams to join in with a far more
regional plan whilst keeping things local. By this we mean that Castleford for example, is really proud, and now has a stunning
new fish pass as part of their Renaissance Project. We are currently working with Knottingley too, in ensuring that they too
install a fish pass on a most difficult weir.
Work should begin this year on two other fish passes on the
lower river and British Waterways are looking at installing fish passage on their ‘broken’ weirs at Dewsbury and
Cooper Bridge when they are repaired to a sustainable standard this year. So things could change very fast further downstream.
Plus with a further five weirs scheduled for fish passage in the next few years and of course any that we get an opportunity
to develop in the meanwhile.
This is only one of the many projects which Greenstrams are supporting for the good
of the local community. Please come and help us, make our surrounding areas a safe and environmentally friendly
haven for everyone to enjoy. Please check the 'news page' for information and dates on other activities which
Greenstreams are involved with.
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