Corwen Carwash

[Red Oktober]

have just "borrowed" this off itoc

http://www.itocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9954



The Environment Agency Wales are concerned about reports of activities at the ford crossing the River Alwen between Glan Alwen and Hafod-y-calch near Corwen, Denbighshire, North Wales. It has been reported that 4x4 vehicles are crossing the river and being cleaned at this point.

This part of the watercourse is a recognised spawning area for salmon and sea trout. Eggs are laid in winter in the rocky bed of the river where they stay for several months while they develop.

Whilst mud is a natural substance, and often regarded as not being a pollutant, allowing increased sediment to enter a watercourse can be very damaging to fish and the small invertebrates on which they feed. Sediment can block fish gills and smother fish eggs, preventing them from hatching. It is therefore a significant pollution risk to fish populations.

Under the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 the introduction of polluting matter (including sediment) to watercourses and
the wilful disturbance of fish spawning grounds constitute criminal offences.


The Environment Agency are aware that this ford is an adopted highway and therefore is unable to be closed during spawning. However, we would be grateful if you could make any of your members using the area aware of this issue and dissuade them from using this road during the spawning period. We are working with the Local Authority to erect signs for this area to highlight this issue to drivers.

It has also been noted that vehicles are being washed in the River Alwen at this crossing. We would appreciate it if this activity should be actively discouraged by 4x4 clubs to prevent excess sediment from entering any watercourse and thereby protect the environment. It is recommended that drivers use appropriate facilities at petrol stations for example, where the run off is contained and not allowed to enter the surface drainage system.

The River Alwen is a high quality river, both chemically and biologically and we would appreciate your members’ consideration whilst enjoying their hobby.

[Drift]

This is still under investigation from CRAG and no advise has been given as yet, there is no TRO placed on the lane/ford so its still legal to drive.

The general concensus is its more the nickname of the ford being " The Corwen Car Wash " that could have prompted this notice.

The notice was sent to one Land Rover club in Liverpool, as far as we know, no other 4x4 club has recieved the notice.

Investigations are still ongoing as is the debate.

No one should use the Ford to wash their car, only to drive through.

[Rich2.4i]

This maybe a silly question but when is the spawning season ?

[Drift]

From DDavies CRAG.

Whilst I did wonder if this letter was a joke I've now reason to believe it is real and the EA are concerned that we are 'washing' our 4x4s in the river...

Like most of us I believe in the tread lightly message but I am not convinced that using the ford in a responsible manner will have any impact on the spawning grounds and therefore do not believe it should be avoided for up to 5 months of the year which I understand can be the duration of the spawning period ?

As I fear this could lead in time to a needless TRO I plan to write (not email) to the address below which I understand is the correct office, I'll be questioning the factual basis for the letter and highlighting the following: -

-The ford has been there for hundreds of years
-It has a good stone base which unlikely to produce much sediment from traffic use
-The stone base has been flatterned by years of use so the immediate area of the ford itself is unlikely to be used for spawning
-The risk of sediment from 'washing' vehicles doesn't actually exist (have the EA quantitative sampling data from up and down stream of the ford for comparison?) If not might they wish to carryout this simple test?
-There has been a sharp decline in fish stocks in many areas but this is down to other factors not the use of this ford? E.g. pollutants from farms and tarmac roads which drain directly into the river, a much greater risk, especially this time of year with all the salt (a know risk to fish) going on the roads then draining into adjacent waterways.

Rather than not using the ford could signage be put up reminding drivers to stick to the ford itself and not wash vehicles just in case anyone is tempted, a speed limit might also be worth consideration?

Until the last patch of heavy rain locals will remember there was recently barbed wire both sides of the ford, this was ripped down by a huge tree floating down on floodwater, just think of the damage this natural event would have caused to the spawning beds...

I've spoken to a senior figure in one of the local fishing clubs, he thinks it's crazy and would rather the EA devoted more time stopping poachers etc.


If others feel the same I'd urge them to send their own letters in so the EA get a balanced picture?

Cheers

Address (I think)

Jenny Dodwell
Environment Officer
The Environment Agency,
Buckley Office,
Buckley,
Flintshire,
CH7 3AJ
__________________

[fourshoes10]

[quote="Rich2.4i"]This maybe a silly question but when is the spawning season ?[/quote]
wild atlantic salmon spawn in nov/dec

[Drift]

What about Wild Welsh Irish sea Salmon

[fourshoes10]

that would be the same time too

[Rich2.4i]

OMG what have i started here

[Sir-Doris]

Any news yet on this salmon business?

[Drift]

Nothing ever came of that letter, no-one could find the author or the department it came from, general consensus is that its a fake or at the very least not official.

[Sir-Doris]

Good to know, Il be up that way soon and want to check out the state of play at Corwen. may have a nose around and see if any of the locals know anything about it.

[stu]

Good to know, Il be up that way soon and want to check out the state of play at Corwen. may have a nose around and see if any of the locals know anything about it.

its maybe best not to wake up the locals , in case they want to stop folk from using the car wash . it may give them ideas . i think the letter is a fake anyway .

[Trugga]

I agree with Stuart.

One time I was there I met a local resident (in a blue Peugeot) who was pro use, but she referred us to another resident (blond haired lady) who was anti 4x4, anti tractor etc.

Exercise your right to drive legally with a common sense approach, but don't antagonise the locals.

Lawrence

[Sir-Doris]

Il keep stumm and takes me chances then