The money will be spent on using timber piling and brushwood to stabilise the river banks. The works will protect the banks from erosion and help to stop soil and silt entering the river which can smother the riverbed gravels that the trout use for spawning.
Tony Walsh of Pickering Fisheries Association (PFA) said: “Receiving the grant from the Duchy is a real boost and confirms the work we’re doing is locally valued. It also allows us to build on the river work we did last year on the Duchy Water for which we received an award from the Wild Trout Trust.”
Nathan Thompson, Duchy of Lancaster Chief Executive, said: “As a responsible landlord, we are committed to long-term and sustainable practises of preservation. The Pickering Beck project is one of many through which the Duchy is helping to protect the environment and we commend the work of the PFA in ensuring that the waters remain a thriving habitat.”
The project to build the Pickering Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will protect more than 80 homes and local businesses, is nearly finished.
Dean Hamblin, Environment Agency Flood Risk Senior Advisor, said: “Now that the flood scheme work is nearing completion we are delighted to take this opportunity to work with the Pickering Fisheries Association, our contactors Jackson Civil Engineering and the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust to make these additional improvements to the river environment and further protect this valuable habitat.”
