A SECTION of eroding river bank in Bell Busk has been bolstered by Yorkshire Water, as part of a project to reduce erosion and improve habitat in the upper section of the River Aire.

The 13 volunteers from the firm helped create a 20-metre long fence made from woven willow wood, which will act as a natural barrier to protect part of the river being washed away.

The willow, coppiced from Yorkshire Water’s Esholt Waste Water Treatment Works, will also provide a habitat for otters, crayfish and nesting birds.

Iain Wolsley, one of the volunteers from Yorkshire Water’s environment team, said: “We are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of rivers which, after all, act as a water supply for millions of customers.

"The willow spilling was hard work but the 20-metre section of river bank we enhanced now looks fantastic and is an ecological alternative to stone or concrete river bank re-enforcements.”

The improvements form part of the Upper Aire Land Management Project, which began in 2010. Organisations involved include Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Farming & Wildlife Partnership and Yorkshire Water.

More than 150 meters of willow fencing has already been built along the Upper Aire, plus the planting of 3,000 trees and the erection of one kilometre of flood-proof fencing.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust conservation officer, Don Vine, said: “Live willow is a fantastic, sustainable material that can not only stabilise river banks and protect them from erosion, but also helps establish habitats for both bank-side and river species.

"Thanks to the team from Yorkshire Water for yet another great day on the river.”

Yorkshire Water has recently enhanced another part of the River Aire at Rodley Nature Reserve near Leeds. Here, a weir bypass channel was established to enable fish to complete their migratory journeys to and from the sea to breed.

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