Project aiming to reintroduce salmon to River Aire gets £800,000 boost

A project to restore Atlantic salmon, improve coarse fish populations and engage people with the River Aire has secured £800,000 from the National Lottery.

The Environment Agency and the Aire Rivers Trust have worked together to get Stage 1 funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to progress their £1.6m Developing the Natural Aire (DNAire) project.

This will build fish passes on four weirs - the last major barriers to fish movement between the North Sea and Gargrave in the Yorkshire Dales to spawn.

Historically the River Aire was rich in salmon but industrial pollution and weirs rendered much of the River Aire lifeless.

Downstream of Leeds fish passes have been built on other major weirs which means that adult salmon can now reach the city centre from the Humber Estuary.

More from Local and National News

On Air Now Naats 5:00am - 6:00am

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

  • Remix Saturdays Remix Saturdays

    Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm

  • The Golden Era The Golden Era

    The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm

  • Bhangra Nights Bhangra Nights

    Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm

  • Alim OnAir Alim OnAir

    Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.