A DROP-IN session is to be held by the Environment Agency next week to inform Powick residents of the changes being made to a weir on the River Teme.
The Government authority is set to undertake the work in a bid to increase the population of fish in the Severn and Teme rivers.
Dubbed ‘Unlocking the Severn’, the project will carry out a number of essential works on key sites on both rivers, including Powick weir, to reopen 250km of river habitat for all fish.
It also aims to secure the UK breeding population of the rare twaite shad.
Residents will be able to hear about the proposed changes at a drop-in session at Callow End Village Hall, on Upton Road, next Monday from 2pm to 6.30pm.
As owners of Powick weir, the Environment Agency investigated options which would maintain and improve fish stocks in the River Teme.
When assessing options to improve fish passage, each weir was considered carefully from environmental, navigational, operational and flood risk perspectives.
The Environment Agency fully considered the options available for fish passage and the body is confident partial weir removal is the best solution for Powick as it will achieve the best long term environmental benefit for the River Teme.
David Clarke, project executive from the Environment Agency, said: “Weirs are physical barriers to fish migration and great progress has been made in enabling fish to access the upper reaches of rivers again in recent years.
“Over the last year we have carried out detailed assessments, habitat and aerial surveys, and modelling work to plan the best solution for the Powick weir site – for improved fish passage and to assist the natural recovery of the river.
“The upcoming drop-in event is an opportunity to provide an update to interested parties on our plans, ahead of work starting in June 2018.”
There will be information displays and representatives from the Environment Agency available at the session to answer questions and to discuss the scheme in greater detail.
