A FISH ramp installed on a beck has opened up another six kilometres of the waterway.

For years, Brancepeth Beck, near Durham, has been almost devoid of fish upstream of the impassable Goodwell Ford.

Now a rock ramp has been installed at the ford, which means fish can reach spawning grounds on the upper reaches of the beck.

This is the sixth structure on the beck to be improved over the last three years by volunteers from the Wear Rivers Trust, working with Brancepeth Castle, Brancepeth Estate and Brancepeth Castle Golf Club.

Steve Hudson, of Wear Rivers Trust, said: “The size and density of the structures along this beck made the project particularly challenging but we have had great support from local landowners and volunteers to enable us to deliver some great improvements.

“Now most of the fish passage works are complete, it is great to hear about fish returning to previously inaccessible parts of the beck and we are very much looking forward to continuing the hard work with the help of our dedicated volunteers.”

Volunteers are hoping to carry out work on two remaining barriers in the future.

Paul Frear, from the Environment Agency, added: “We’ve worked closely with partners to enable Wear Rivers Trust to carry out lots of positive work in this area to look at structures and issues impacting on fish migration.

“This new fish pass opens up another 6km of watercourse for fish and make it far easier for them to travel upstream.

“The whole project is already reaping rewards”.