Lancashire rivers to get a spruce up from water grant

Rivers in Chorley, Clitheroe, Garstang, Scorton and Lancaster will receive a major cash boost from United Utilities to help keep livestock alive, guard against erosion and combat pollution.

The rivers Cocker, Conder, Ribble, Wyre, Chor and Yarrow won grants from United Utilities’ Catchment Wise intervention fund.

Across the North West United Utilities has donated more than £500,000 and they received applications worth double that amount.

Manager Paul Henbrey said: “It’s been an amazing response. Charities and communities are working hard to clean up the brooks, streams, lakes and rivers they love. This money will get them started. Plus, they get our expert advice.”

The Ribble Rivers Trust has received £50,000 for its Keeping the Ribble Cool project and the Wyre Rivers Trust, based in Scorton, which was awarded £25,000 for its Wyre habitat creation scheme.

The Lune Rivers Trust, based in Farleton, Lancaster, will spend its £21,000 on the Cocker Conder Clean-up scheme and Groundwork Lancashire, who are based in Wigan received a grant of £20,000 to recruit a team of volunteers to walk the banks of the rivers Chor and Yarrow, in Chorley, to find the causes of pollution.

Mr Henbrey added : “They might look lovely, but only just over a quarter of England’s water bodies are classed as “good” or better when it comes to water quality.

“We spend millions on our sewers, but there is only so much we can do alone. Other sources of pollution outside our control are becoming more and more important.

“Catchment Wise cash gives vital projects access to much needed funds. We think we’re the only water company working with community partnerships this way.”