Lugg & Arrow Project Press Release

The Wye & Usk Foundation (WUF) has landed a major project to improve the fisheries of the Lugg and Arrow, the major tributaries of the Wye that join the main river below Hereford.

Under the LEADER+ Herefordshire Rivers Programme the Foundation, in partnership with the Environment Agency Wales (EAW) and the Lugg and Arrow Fisheries Association (LAFA) has planned to:

Stephen Marsh-Smith, Director of the Wye & Usk Foundation, commented:

" This is the largest project approved under the LEADER+ scheme and enables the partnership to undertake works that were only previously dreamt about. Lugg and Arrow comprise the largest Wye tributary and have missed out so far on the benefits of EU funding. We look forward to seeing the benefits of the work particularly for trout and salmon."

Anika Backhouse, from Herefordshire Rivers LEADER+ added: "The Programme is proud to aid in the financing of the Wye & Usk Foundation project. It is important conservation work that will be carried out over the course of two years, which has been lacking in recent years. There is also a strong education element, of which LEADER+ approves wholeheartedly. This is the first project we have funded that is solely focussed on the rivers, their immediate environment, and their biodiversity."

Pete Gough, from Environment Agency commented :

We are delighted with this award and we are able to tackle many of the problems that are affecting environmental quality in these wonderful rivers. There is much potential to restore the once prolific stocks of grayling and trout and to initiate recovery of the salmon populations. I am especially pleased that we can also bring our "Salmon Homecoming" experience to some Herefordshire classrooms.

David Forbes, Chairman of LAFA said how pleasing it was that this first project on the two rivers was about to get underway. "Both rivers are in much need of care and attention and we look forward to continuing working with WUF who have secured this project."

ENDS.

Notes to editors:

  1. LEADER+ is a UK and EU-wide rural venture, centralised around a bottom-up, community-focused approach. There are 25 L+ programmes running in England alone, Herefordshire Rivers being the only one in the West Midlands. For more information please contact Anika Backhouse on 01432 260606 or see www.herefordshirerivers.org

  2. The Wye & Usk Foundation is a registered charity working to protect and restore fisheries in both river systems. For more information please contact Seth Johnson-Marshall on 01982 551 520 or see www.wyeuskfoundation.org

  3. LAFA are a group of fishermen and riparian owners with the same aims as WUF who are striving to improve the habitat & condition of both rivers, as well as increasing the membership. Please contact Rod Symondson on 01544 231 998 for further information.

The Wye river system, which includes the Lugg and Arrow is a Special area of Conservation on account of its habitat features and species including Atlantic Salmon, Otters, Crayfish, Lampreys and Shad