Latest news with #RiverTrent
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Love locks to be removed from Wilford Suspension Bridge
Love locks attached to a footbridge over the River Trent in Nottingham are being removed over concerns about its structural many years, Wilford Suspension Bridge - which connects the Meadows and West Bridgford - has been covered in commemorative Severn Trent has said the locks now need to be removed to help "protect the bridge's structure". A spokesperson for the water supplier confirmed work to the bridge, which includes removing any remaining locks, would begin on 6 October. It means people have eight weeks to remove their locks, if they wish. In a public notice recently attached to the bridge, Severn Trent said the weight of the locks was "affecting the structural integrity of the bridge" and "causing some damage". A walker from Nottingham, Marie, called the locks "part of the bridge" adding she thought it would look "weird" without them. However, some people told the BBC they believed the locks looked "untidy". In 2024, across the border in Derbyshire, Richard Young backed a local campaign group to save love locks being removed from a bridge in Bakewell. He said every lock had a memory, adding: "We fought the council not to melt them down". Derbyshire County Council had planned to remove the locks and recycle them so maintenance work could be carried out. But after outcry over the plan, the authority eventually agreed to hand them over to the campaign group."We removed them and put them back in order at Thornbridge Hall [a nearby stately home]," Mr Young added. He suggested a similar movement should start in Nottingham. However, Severn Trent said any locks left after eight weeks would be "well looked after", with plans to "create something special" with them. Plan to 'honour' memories A spokesperson for the water supplier said: "This is an iconic local landmark, and we need to make sure the bridge stays safe and strong for everyone."We know the lovelocks on Wilford Suspension Bridge mean a lot to many, so we're giving people lots of notice to come and safely collect their lock during the next eight weeks. "After this we'll carefully remove them to help protect the bridge's structure now and in the future."Everyone can be rest assured the locks that are removed will be well looked after, and we're in the early stages of talking with a local business to create something special to honour their lovely meaning. "More will be revealed on this in due course, and we'd like to thank everyone for their understanding."
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Frustration after Beeston sea scout water base vandalised
Sea scout leaders said they were "frustrated" and "deeply disheartened" to find their facility on the River Trent in Nottinghamshire had been 2nd Beeston Sea Scouts said multiple areas at Barton Island, near Attenborough Nature Reserve, were "deliberately damaged" last discovered the facility, which cannot be accessed by foot, had suffered "significant damage" to the toilets, barn and hut on sea scouts have used the water base, situated on the downstream half of the island, for more than 40 years for activities and camping. The damage was discovered during a weekly meeting at the group said toilet doors were forced open, ripping the locking brackets from the panels, and wooden panels torn away from the Storm Barn.A safety rail was also ripped off the balcony of a sleeping hut and a sign pulled off its mount. The group said: "It is with great sadness and frustration that we have to share news of significant damage to our facilities on Barton Island."This damage not only disrupts our activities but also poses serious safety risks to anyone on site."It also means money that should be used to support adventure and skills opportunities for young people will need to be diverted to repairing the damage."Acts like this are deeply disheartening, but we are determined to repair the damage and carry on."Nottinghamshire Police have been contacted for comment.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Call for greater monitoring of £12m Colwick fish pass
A charity is calling for greater monitoring of England's largest fish pass, which cost £ described as a "motorway for fish", it was installed at Colwick Country Park in Nottinghamshire by the Environment Agency (EA) and opened in November aim was to "make it easier for salmon and other fish to reach their spawning and feeding grounds" along the River Trent, boosting declining EA has no legal obligation to monitor the effectiveness of the structure and will carry out short-term checks during key migratory windows, but the Trent Rivers Trust fears it is not enough. 'Canary in the coal mine' Wild Atlantic salmon were once native to the River Trent and are the main species the fish pass was designed to help fell rapidly during the industrial revolution when weirs and dams prevented them from reaching breeding grounds and water pollution destroyed their habitats."They've been referred to as the canary in the coal mine," said Alison Baker, restoration director at the Wild Atlantic Salmon Trust."Salmon require cold, clean water and if there's no cold clean water, then we all suffer."The fish pass is built around Holme Sluices, part of a 1950s flood defence scheme owned by the EA on the notoriously unpredictable structure is 210m (656ft) long, 6m (19.7ft) deep and 6.5m (21.3ft) is divided into 20 ascending chambers - each slightly higher than the previous ones to match the slope of the landscape - into which water flows through narrow slots. The EA said the pass - built under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 - was "carefully designed and is relevant for all fish species, including salmon".It is yet to carry out any monitoring and plans to perform short-term checks using underwater cameras to "better understand fish migration" in autumn of this year and spring Dr Scott McKenzie, head of rivers and nature-based solutions at the Trent Rivers Trust, said it was not enough to know how efficient the fish pass is or to learn from it."We don't just want a snapshot into whether they can get through at certain times of year," he added."A fish pass like this costs a lot of money; we want to make sure it's worth it."Dr McKenzie said monitoring should involve counting salmon at key breeding sites to check they were "not only navigating the structure, but actually reaching their breeding habitats", and include other recovering species. Dr McKenzie said monitoring should involve counting salmon at key breeding sites to check if they were "not only navigating the structure, but actually reaching their breeding habitats", and include other recovering species. The Trent Rivers Trust is leading a recovery of a 75km stretch of the river - a project that could see further fish passes McKenzie said the facility at Colwick was "only worth it if it's part of a bigger recovery plan which should include monitoring".The EA said: "For salmon monitoring, funding is concentrated on those rivers designated as 'principal salmon rivers', which the River Trent is not."Therefore, a strategy of monitoring at key migration windows is being applied here."Should further funding become available, the monitoring will be enhanced."
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Fishing halted due to 'critical' condition of River Trent
Fishing on the River Trent has been suspended by numerous clubs because of "critical conditions" endangering the health of the Anglers Association said itself and other clubs separately took the decision because of "low oxygen levels" caused by the recent hot secretary David Turner said during optimal conditions in winter the oxygenation readings could hit 130-140% but currently some areas were down to 30%.Guidance from the Angling Trust and Environment Agency states that low oxygen level make it harder for the fish to recover from being caught and leaves them more susceptible to diseases and infections. Mr Turner said: "With the lack of rain and the fact we keep getting these high temperatures, the river's become quite a dangerous place for fish."He said this is because there is a correlation between water temperature and its ability to hold oxygen. A slow water flow has also impacted oxygen levels."Even the rain that we've had this week won't get into the river, because the land is so dry, so it's just going to soak into the soil and not run off into the tributaries," he Whittaker, secretary of the Nottingham Piscatorial Society, said its members had been "very supportive" of the decision to suspend fishing and cancel matches."The River Trent is a very precious commodity that we should all look after, [and] as anglers, we're doing our best to look after the fish and the habitat," he said. Both clubs said they had seen reports of dead fish on social media but had not witnessed it within their fishing waters and the decision to suspend fishing was a Turner also said there would be repercussions for any members who go against the advice."If we do find any of our members on our water that have ignored the close signs, they will be dealt with by the committee, and almost certainly will lose their membership," he said.A spokesperson for the Environment Agency confirmed any decision to suspend fishing was down to the angling added the agency works with the Angling Trust to issue advice to fishing clubs regarding the impact of hot weather.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bridge over River Trent to close for repainting work
One of the main bridges over the River Trent will be closed for maintenance work starting next to the city council, the Lady Bay Bridge, which dates from 1878, was built as a rail crossing but converted to road use in iron structure needs regular repainting to protect it from corrosion, a job which was last done in 2010, the local authority work is due to start on 16 June but road closures will take place overnight between 7 July and 17 August. The road closure will be from 20:00 to 06:00 BST on weekdays with diversions put in footpath will also be closed from 08:30 to 17:30 on weekdays between 7 July and 20 is due to finish in Woodings, from the city council, said: "This work is an important investment in Nottingham's infrastructure. "Together with the county council we are committed to maintaining and keeping Lady Bay Bridge looking its best, and most importantly, this work will help to protect and preserve the bridge for many years to come."The county council is managing the project, which is jointly funded by the city council.
