River gets upgrade

£150k works for Almond

Work is underway on a £ 150,000 project to improve the River Almond.

A fish pass is being created at Kirkton Weir in Livingston to open the upper reaches of the river to various fish species. West Lothian Council and River Forth Fisheries Trust wi l l oversee the work which will improve the river for wildlife as well as for local communities. Many fish species, including salmon, sea trout, brown trout, eel and lamprey, all find it difficult to pass the weir which affects the ecology of the river.

Kate Comins, RiverLife: Almond and Avon Project coordinator said: “Building a new fish pass at Kirkton Weir is a huge step for the RiverLife Project as it is one of the most upstream barriers to fish migration along the River Almond. Over the next four years, a total of six barriers will be eased on the River Almond opening up nearly 50km of river to many different species.”

Tom Conn, Wes t Lothian’s Executive councillor for the environment said: “The return of migrating fish to the upper reaches of the river will be something to celebrate and the work of the River Forth Fisheries Trust and all its partners is to be commended.” Work will take up to nine weeks and during the works, members of the RiverLife Team from River Forth Fisheries Trust and West Lothian Council will be available to answer any questions or concerns the local community or visitors may have.