A TRANSFORMATIONAL project designed to reduce flood risk to homes and businesses in Salisbury has just reached a major milestone.
The Salisbury River Park Project, which cost £35 million, was a collaboration between Wiltshire Council, Salisbury City Council, and the Environment Agency and work has progressed steadily over the last few months with the widening of the river channel and flood plain.
A new control weir has replaced the sluice gate between the Millstream and the River Avon.
Salisbury River Park Project (Image: Wiltshire Council)
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Project Lead for the Environment Agency, Andy Wallis, said: “Allowing flow back into the River Avon channel is an important milestone for the Salisbury River Park project.
“This part of the scheme will be essential in achieving our aims to remove barriers to fish movement throughout this area. We look forward to seeing how the channel establishes.”
Before the channel was first closed, approximately 1,000 fish were moved to the adjacent watercourse. The fish included juvenile Barbel, Salmon Parr, juvenile Chub, and Dace. Rock weirs have been added to allow a reduction in the water level, but fish will still be able to move up and down stream.
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Ecologists surveyed and monitored the area to minimise any risks to habitat and each stage of the project were timed to minimise the impact to ecology and the reopening of the channel was timed before fish migration season starts in November. The project will boost biodiversity and improve walking and cycling benefits.
Leader of Wiltshire Council, Richard Clewer, said: “It is a key priority for us to protect Wiltshire's natural beauty, and that its unique habitats and wildlife are nurtured.
“Salisbury is widely recognised as one of England’s best places to live and acts as a base to discover its surrounding countryside and heritage.
“It is great that we have got to the stage where the river Avon channel is being reopened and we can’t wait to see fish and other wildlife back once again in this section of the river. We hope that once complete, the Salisbury River Park project will not only provide great environmental and biodiversity improvements, but also encourage more people to visit and spend time in the city centre.
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Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Atiqul Hoque, said: “This is a great step forward in the River Park Project, very excited can't wait to see the end result. Salisbury is lucky to be home to a range of wildlife and habitats and it is important that we can protect and nurture them. I look forward to seeing fish back in this area of the river and just in time for the migration season.”
Landscaping and planting alongside the Avon channel have already begun and a new Summerlock stream channel will be connected to the main channel at Ashley Road open space.
For more information on the project, go to salisburyriverparkphase1.com
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