A SECOND waterway is set to benefit from efforts by conservationists to bring salmon and sea trout back to the waters of East Lancashire.

Pendle Water will see a greater breadth of wildlife due to a series of engineering projects this spring and summer, backed by the Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust.

The minor river runs from Roughlee to Blacko, then to Higherford and Barrowford, where it is joined by Colne Water and then runs by the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate to its confluence with the River Calder in Reedley Hallows northwest of Burnley.

Stephen Hatton, the trust’s habitat project manager, said: “The trust has been involved for many years now in attempting to give fish access to the waters above Padiham weir.

“Now at last, in conjunction with the Environment Agency, alterations to the existing weir being carried out this spring will mean fish have access to the upper waters of the Calder, and in particular Pendle Water, for the first time in many years.

“Once fish are through Padiham Weir, the next obstacle is Montford Weir on Pendle Water. The trust has now removed this obstacle to the fish.”

Three further weirs are still faced by spawning salmon and sea trout in Barrowford, according to the trust.

The first two will require minor works, which are set to be undertaken by the trust by the end of April.

Another fish pass will be installed at the third and largest weir by late summer.

The move comes just days after long-awaited plans to install a fish ladder along the River Calder, in Padiham, which would enable fish to travel beyond the waterway’s weir, began to take shape.

Mr Hatton said: “By the time of the run of migratory fish in November and December we should see salmon, sea-trout and brown trout running through this entire length of new spawning grounds.”