SALMON could soon be seen again in the River Aire in a £1.6 million scheme to revive the waterway.

The project is hoping to restore Atlantic salmon to the headwaters for the first time in over 200 years, improve coarse fish populations and engage people with the River Aire.

The Environment Agency and the Aire Rivers Trust are working together to get funding for their Developing the Natural Aire (DNAire) project.

They are preparing for a Second Stage Heritage Lottery Fund bid in mid-2019 and, if successful, work is likely to happen in summer 2020.

This will build fish passes on four weirs - including Saltaire weir beside Salts Mill - the last major barriers to fish movement between the North Sea and Gargrave in the Dales to spawn.

Historically the River Aire was rich in salmon but industrial pollution and weirs rendered much of it lifeless.

In more recent years the Aire has been cleaned up by a range of different organisations and landowners allowing wildlife to return.

This includes the Upper Aire Project which has worked with farmers and landowners to improve water quality and spawning grounds where salmon can breed.

Downstream of Leeds fish passes have been built on other major weirs which means that adult salmon can now reach the city centre from the Humber Estuary.

DNAire will fill the missing gap between Leeds and Gargrave, enabling the return of the iconic fish, as well as allowing coarse fish, such as dace, chub and barbel to move freely up and down the river to find the best places to feed, spawn and shelter.

A trail of ‘Focus Points’, including at Shipley, Dowley Gap and Bingley, will be created where people can access their river and learn about and enjoy its natural heritage. People will be able to follow the journey of salmon along the River Aire from Leeds to Gargrave.

Building the fish passes on the weirs will link modern and historic engineering and provide opportunities to promote Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) subjects within schools, local colleges and universities. Undergraduate students in engineering and natural sciences will have the opportunity to engage with the project and gain training. Apprenticeships in construction will be offered. Local people will also be invited to get involved, and able to gain skills in river ecology and stewardship.

Kevin Sunderland, an Aire Rivers Trust trustee, has spent his career pressing for the return of salmon and improvements to the river and said: “This is the last link in a long chain of improvements and it’s time to open up the river once again for this iconic species the Atlantic Salmon.

"This project will make the river more attractive not only to fishermen but also to everyone who either lives near or wants to come and see how this great river has once again been restored to its natural glory.”

David Renwick, head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire & the Humber, said: “Yorkshire’s rivers are the arteries of our landscapes, providing connections for wildlife to move along their banks and in their waters. The industrialisation of many areas saw water quality decline and barriers put in place, reducing their value for wildlife and to society.

“However, in recent years otters have returned, plants are flourishing and kingfishers can be seen catching fish in even the most urban areas. Thanks to National Lottery players the DNAire Project will allow fish to traverse the four remaining barriers on the River Aire allowing salmon to return.”