WORK has begun this week on a project to encourage more fish into Bradford Beck from the River Aire.

Obstructions on the river bed make it difficult for fish, such as trout and minnows, to ascend the river.

The scheme, involving the Environment Agency, Bradford Council and the Friends of Bradford's Becks, involves installing timber sleepers to make the water deeper and to break up the fast flow.

Work has started near Shipley railway station. Rob Hellawell of FOBB said: "The many weirs on our rivers are barriers to the natural movement upstream and downstream of our fish.

In particular here this weir has a very long, concrete apron above it. this makes the water travel very quickly and spreads it out to just a couple of inches in depth. Green oak baffles have been bolted to the apron to deflect the water in such a way as to provide a path of water deep enough to allow fish to get up the apron of the weir."

Professor Jon Grey of the Wild Trout Trust explained that this was a low-tech approach to fish easement.

He said: "It would not be possible to take up the apron under the road bridge without a lot of concern about the stability of the bridge."

As part of the project, Bradford Council will be carrying out planting on the banks of the beck to encourage wildlife and to create more habitats in the water for invertebrates and fish, which is expected to take place in March.

Barney Lerner, chairman of FOBB said the group are starting a new pollution spotting project on all of Bradford's Becks in the spring.

He said: "If anyone is interesting in watching a particular stream with us, perhaps when dog walking, running or just as an excuse to get out, please get in touch via email BradfordsBecks@gmail.com or on social media."