We have spoken with the head of Marine Scotland Science, Marine Scotland Licensing Dept., Fishery Adviser to Scottish Ministers and the Main Contractor over the issues with the work on the Queen’s Viaduct on the River Irvine and how this situation came about. It is accepted that that the fishery interests should have been included in direct consultation in advance of the work being approved and commencing to allow us (Trust, RIAIA, Clubs and anglers) time to raise any concerns we had. This didn’t happen in this case but I am assured that steps have been taken to ensure this situation will not arise again in future.
Putting aside the failures in the consultation process, we must quickly move towards finding acceptable solutions to allow the migratory species access to the river at all times. To this end, I will be meeting the Main contractor’s Project and Site Managers and the sub contractor’s agent on site on Monday. Once we have had a full explanation of the planned works, we will attempt to agree on measures to improve the situation and mitigate delays and impacts on migratory species. As long as agreements can be reached between the main and sub contractors and ourselves, I am hopeful that a quick solution will be implemented. This may not be the same solution as everyone would ideally prefer but that opportunity was lost through lack of consultation prior to the job commencing. The work is essential and must continue. This will be making the best out of the current situation. The main contractor recognises our genuine concerns and is eager to do whatever they can to make this possible.
I will post an update following the meeting to inform readers of what’s going to happen and when. I’d ask that anglers and clubs bear with us while we attempt to resolve this in a satisfactory way. We are in direct communication with the RIAIA and have agreed to meet with themselves and Clubs later next week once we know how things are progressing.
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(Relatively) relaxed and happy that dialogue is underway, good luck for Monday. I’m in “Ayrshire mode” next week, as i’m fishing @ Smithston – even if the Doon is not producing, it will be interesting to follow the news from the Irvine! “My” three rivers (Urr, Minnoch and Doon) are all pretty close together, and your work on the Irvine is a stark reminder of how none of us, whether from angling assocs, syndicates, DSFBs or Trusts should assume that the left hand of Govt knows what the right hand is doing!
Normally fish at Queens bridge but have been ill for the past few weeks and haven’t managed down Usually spin or fly fish from the bridge up to the weir . Imagine my shock when I saw the metal fence from the weir to the bridge blocking access to the river, booms across the river and diggers in the river building a road across it .And all this when the salmon are running up the river. No notification no information. I have fished this beat for 50 years and never known contractors to get away with this in the past. This whole section of river is inaccessible to anglers. We should be asking for a refund on our permits. Further up the river at shewalton they are draining the ground for industrial development and where is this going, yes into the river Whats the point about worrying about poachers there will be no fish left in the river if we don’t enforce the protection.
Can you provide more details of the problem at Shewalton please? Where exactly and what are you seeing? I wasn’t aware of a problem here. Have you contacted SEPA with your concerns? If you don’t report problems, then they never get fixed.