River set for upgrade
Cash boost for project
A project run by the River Forth Fisheries Trust which is designed to improve the River Allan has been allocated fivefigure funding.
The Allan Water Improvement Project has received a bumper £30,000 boost from the Scottish Government.
This funding will allow the trust to continue their crucial work in supporting land managers along the river while promoting good land and water practices.
The project, which was launched four years ago, aims to help identify and install potential ecosystem benefits such as natural flood management and habitat restoration for the benefit of wildlife and communities throughout the catchment.
They have already delivered a number of benefits including the creation of riparian woodlands to slow water run off to reduce flood risk, stabilise banks and cool the water; help landowners deliver green engineering options to prevent bank erosion; and manage the control of invasive non-native species giant hogweed.
In the next year the trust will be working with organisations such as Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland to maintain sustainable fish populations by allowing better access to spawning grounds and habitat currently inaccessible for Atlantic salmon and other migratory fish.
Alison Baker of the River Forth Fisheries Trust said: “The continued support from the Scottish Government allows the trust to drive land and water management changes in the Allan Water catchment.
“The project officer has developed wide ranging partnerships which the trust would be unable to do without this important funding from Scottish Government. The diversity of this project brings benefits to both the environment and communities within the catchment.”
Scottish Government Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “The River Forth Fisheries Trust’s catchment approach is improving the river environment and helping people understand the benefits of natural flood management measures.
“Our funding will help the trust work with land managers across the catchment to make landscape changes which can help reduce surface water run-off.”
The Allan runs from the Ochil Hills above Blackford, through the towns of Dunblane and Bridge of Allan and to its confluence with the Forth.
It supports populations of Atlantic salmon, sea trout and other protected species by its highly impacted land and other infrastructure use which curtails its potential and adds to flood risk.