WORK to reinforce a 173-year-old railway viaduct is helping to protect endangered crayfish in Cumbria.
The Grade-II listed Docker Garths Viaduct, on the West Coast Main Line at Lambrigg, is currently being reinforced to repair damage from water erosion, at a cost of £750,000.
Work includes the diversion of the Flodder Beck river to allow the installation of rock armour protection.
Around 200 endangered white-clawed crayfish, along with another 400 less rare fish, were caught and moved downstream.
Native white-clawed crayfish have almost been wiped out since American signal crayfish were introduced into the UK by salmon farms in the 1970s.
The larger, invasive species not only competes for the same food, but also carries a disease which is deadly to native crayfish.
Read more News and Features in the October 2019 issue of The RM –on sale now!
Railway Reads
From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.Get The Railway Hub Weekly Round-up
Enter your e-mail address below and you will receive weekly rail news straight into your inbox...You can unsubscribe at any time.
About the Author
01507 529529 | SHewitt@Mortons.co.uk
- Manchester services will ‘significantly improve’ from May 2022 - 15th January 2021
- Anger over funding cuts for northern transport schemes - 15th January 2021
- Network Rail slams ‘staggeringly stupid’ TikTok of live railway photoshoot - 15th January 2021