We developed a guide and decision-support tool (DST) to provide valuable and updated advice on choosing appropriate fish and eel passage and deterrent measures. It builds on a detailed whole-life costing study we completed and has an inbuilt cost benefit component.
An Environment Agency project advisory panel comprising end-user representatives helped direct the production of the guide, whilst various other organisations were consulted with during its production, such as internal drainage boards, lead local authorities SEPA and Natural Resources Wales.
Bringing together existing research, guidance and practical experience have all helped in developing the planning and appraisal, design, construction, and maintenance of passages for both new builds and retrofitting solutions. We also outlined deterrent measures at structures such as pumping stations, weirs, locks, sluices, and tidal outfalls. Many of the solutions outlined, such as weir removal, are classically considered to be river restoration techniques.
The DST assists with optioneering, informing the priority of implementing fish passage at a site, and taking practitioners through the complex statutory requirements.
We visited approximately 40 UK sites at a range of in-channel structures, followed by visits to a further ten sites in The Netherlands where the project team witnessed first-hand some of Dutch innovations. Key to this project has been the collaboration to work through complex challenges and gain knowledge on design solutions from scientists, suppliers, on-site practitioners and organisations that have built solutions.