A PLANNED trial to lower the level of the River Derwent has begun despite opposition from local residents and councillors.

The Environment Agency is investigating the possibility of removing the weir at Kirkham Abbey to help fish migrate to upstream spawning grounds.

As part of the investigation, they are carrying out a temporary lowering of the river level to help assess all possible impacts of the work, including water levels.

Ben Hocking, project manager at the Environment Agency, said they had been very pleased with the response received to a public drop-in event about the trial which was held in Malton last week. He said: “Between 30 and 40 people from local communities attended, giving us the chance to talk to them about how the water levels will be temporarily lowered during this month’s trial.

“Speaking to local landowners and interested parties allowed us to gather some useful information that will help us better understand the wider effects of lower river levels between Kirkham and Malton, and we are thankful to those who took the time to come along.

“As well as examining the effects on wildlife, we will also be looking gather other evidence about how the trial changes the character of the river.”

As part of the trial, the sluice gates at Kirkham Weir will be opened progressively between now and September 24, when they will be left fully open until September 26. The gates will then be gradually closed, being returned to their normal position by October 1.

Calls had been made by Norton Town Council to delay the work until more information about the effect on the local environment and wildlife was available.

Councillor David Lloyd-Williams, a member of both Malton and Norton town councils, said he was appalled at the lack of consultation. He said: “I am disappointed that they have failed to properly consult and taken time to evaluate concerns before going ahead with their plans. This is a money-saving exercise by the Environment Agency, in order to eventually remove both the sluice and the weir and allow the Derwent to flow as a spate river. They just will not listen to people with more experience who have seen the effects of these experiments before.”