Project set to boost fishing in River Esk (From Gazette & Herald)

Project set to boost fishing in River Esk

FISHING in the River Esk - Yorkshire's only salmon river, which meanders through the North York Moors National Park - is in line for a big development scheme with hundreds of tons of stones being put along its banks to increase the water flow.

But the project, which goes before the park's planning committee tomorrow (Thursday) for a decision, is being opposed by the parish councils covering Eskdaleside-cum-Ugglebarnby, Aislaby and Egton.

Val Dilcock, the park's chief planning officer, says the plan is to construct groynes in the Esk, from Sleights weir to Low Newbeggin Farm. She says the aim is to control erosion on the banks of the picturesque river.

The groynes will each consist of 20-30 tonnes of waste quarried sandstone, positioned at the bank side, and extending out into the river for approximately ten metres.

"During normal river flow, only the top will be visible and, after a year, the rock should have weathered sufficiently to blend in with the river bedrock," says Mrs Dilcock in a report to the committee.

She said that 200 tonnes of large rocks will be put at the base of the bank over a 200m stretch where it has badly slipped into the river.

"These structures are largely designed to control erosion and manage the river and its banks as well as vary flows," Mrs Dilcock wrote.

She adds that approval is also needed from the Environment Agency.

"The proposal aims to increase the flow of the Esk to improve the habitat for sea trout and salmon, in turn improving the fishing along this stretch of river."

However, the parish councils have told the park authority: "We believe this scheme could have an enormous impact on the river flow with water being pushed to the opposite bank.

"We would like to see a survey done by a proficient engineer used to river flow and bank stabilisation, before the work is done."

Mrs Dilcock said that the man behind the venture, Mr N Oughtred, of Bishop Burton, has a number of years experience doing similar projects in the Esk and in other rivers. He has worked with the park's conservation officers, who support the scheme, to enhance the river habitat as well as improving the fishing.

"It is considered that the proposal will not have an adverse impact on the character, amenity or landscape of this stretch of the river and will seek to manage bank erosion and improve the wildlife habitat," says Mrs Dilcock.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, January 14, 2004