RIVER FRESHNEY CLEAN-UP HAS ENCOURAGED GRIMSBY RETURN OF FAMILY OF OTTERS

 

Dredging of the Freshney is providing boost for wildlife

WORK has now finished on an important project to improve the water quality of the River Freshney in the centre of Grimsby.

Over a four-week period, more than 2,230 tonnes of silt and sediment - 122 lorry loads -  have been removed from the riverbed.

Specialist contractors Ebsford Environmental were appointed to undertake dredging of the river between West Haven Maltings opposite Frederick Ward Way and the ABP pumping station.

Additionally, 1.5 tonnes of scrap metal - including bikes, shopping trollies and scaffold pipes - was taken from the riverbed and recycled at Immingham.

Dredging this section of the riverbed has allowed the water to flow much more freely in the town centre section of the river, with the channel depth now around 1.8m. 

Established vegetation has been maintained for the benefit of wildlife in the area.

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, North east Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for the environment:

"This work has greatly improved water quality and flow. 

"We have also seen a family of otters around in the last few days which is encouraging - the dredging will boost biodiversity."

The depth of the river will be reviewed in 12 months’ time to see how quickly the silt is building back up and to help form a future management and maintenance plan.