Natural England - River Bank Reminders

During recent discussions, Natural England have reminded the Fishery of its responsibilities to the river and the bank, and those responsibilities extend to all of us who fish it. Our stretch falls within a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - everything between the top track and the water is inside the protected area. Think of the fishery as a Grade I listed building.

A well-meaning member who does work on the bank can unintentionally put the fishery in breach of Natural England's rules.

The Reminders

1. No alterations to the bank. No cutting of bushes, branches or marginal growth to open a swim. No slabs, boards, steps or platforms placed, moved or re-laid. No clearing of debris or weed. No digging, filling or levelling. If a swim needs work, the fishery does it, with consent from Natural England.

2. No material out of the river. Somewhat counter-intuitively, fallen trees, branches and debris stay in the water where they are. Natural England class them as "habitat", and we need consent before removing them.

3. General tidiness. No rubbish, bait, tackle or food left behind. Take everything out that was brought in.

4. Parking at the river. What we want to avoid is ruts and churned-up ground - that's the kind of thing Natural England count as damage. Park on the track where possible, or enough on the verge so that the track stays clear for others to pass (but keeping a safe distance from the bank edge). Pick a firm spot - if the ground where you'd normally pull in is waterlogged, go a little further along to where it's firmer. No parking on the bank itself, not down to the water's edge and not on the river bed or gravel bars.

Parking on the island is a little different, because the track there runs close to the water. You can park on the island track or beside it on the land side (shown in yellow on the map below) - not on the waterside verge.

5. Fires and camping are not permitted.

Fallen trees and problems on the bank

Over winter, trees and branches come down and swims can slip. If you find something, just tell us. Please don't try to clear it yourselves.

Clearing trees, branches and repairing bank slips in an SSSI designated area are activities that need Natural England's permission first. Please don't ring Natural England or the Environment Agency yourselves - the fishery deals with them directly. If permission has not already been granted, we can usually get it.

Who to contact

Ray: On-Site

Dom: 07971 421497

Office: 01989 505808

Email: office@dawleyestates.com

Thank you for continuing to help us look after our little stretch of paradise that has been fished, loved and cared for, for well over a hundred years.