Suttle Projects worked in partnership with the Environment Agency and Aire Rivers Trust to design and construct the “Developing the Natural Aire” project, or DNAire. This was a flagship project that had the ultimate objective of restoring iconic Atlantic Salmon populations to the River Aire and re-connecting local communities with their river.
The construction of fish passes on four weirs, would remove the last major barriers to migratory fish movement between the North Sea and Gargrave near Skipton in North Yorkshire. With this new improved access for salmon and coarse fish such as dace, chub and barbel are now able to move freely up and downstream to discover the most beneficial environments to feed, breed, and shelter.
The successful completion of the four fish passes would require Suttle Projects proven approach in simplifying every element through the entire survey, scope, design, pre-planning and implementation phases at each of these unique weir locations. The ecological sensitive environment demanded meticulous up-front attention to detail, buildable designs, and clear communications throughout planning, execution, and handover.
The fish pass designs had to meet many ecological and environmental parameters. 3D visualisations were created to ensure the potential impact of the proposed designs were properly considered and design packs prepared for each location. In such challenging working environments, the up-front attention to detail had to ensure that all the requisite permissions, approvals and licences were proactively obtained, and that all stakeholder agreements were in place in advance to meet the required timescales.
During the project Suttle Projects provided work placements from colleges and universities in Bradford and Leeds. This promoted STEM subjects to local young people as STEM ambassadors who in-turn visited local schools to promote engagement of young people with the River Aire and its ecology.