Yorkshire’s rivers are being restored through the removal of physical barriers dating back to the region’s industrial past, in an effort to support fish migration and enhance river habitats.

The initiative forms part of a £21 million programme aimed at removing or modifying structures — many originally built to power mills and heavy industries that once relied on Yorkshire’s waterways.

Led by the Environment Agency, the Rivers Trust and Yorkshire Water, the partnership seeks to reconnect river systems, allowing fish to move freely and breed naturally.

Anna Gerring, the Rivers Trust’s Deputy Director for Strategy and Development, said that addressing barriers to fish migration would also deliver wider environmental gains, including improved water quality and greater biodiversity.

Over the past decade, more than 100 obstacles have already been removed, including Hirst Mill Weir on the River Aire, Stocksbridge Weir on the River Don, and Bowers Mill Weir on Black Brook near Halifax.

Earlier this year, Atlantic salmon were confirmed to be breeding in the River Don for the first time in more than two centuries — a milestone achieved after over 20 years of work to reconnect the river and restore its natural flow.

For the next phase of the project, Yorkshire Water has secured £11.4 million in funding, with a further £10 million to be contributed through the wider partnership.

According to the organisations involved, this investment will help open up 310 miles (500 km) of river habitat across Yorkshire over the next five years.

Tim Hawkins, the firm’s director of strategy and regulations, said: “We can’t tackle artificial barriers or recover rivers at scale alone.

“Working in partnership, however, allows us to operate differently, expand our ambitions and collectively we can deliver what’s right for the environment and, ultimately, what is right for our customers too.”

The partnership, known as Great Yorkshire Rivers, has set an ambitious goal to transform the county’s waterways into thriving ecosystems by 2043.

Delivery partners include the Aire Rivers Trust, Don Catchment Rivers Trust, Natural England, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and the Canal and River Trust.