COMMUNITY leaders are hoping to start a trust to clean up Huddersfield’s rivers – and keep them that way.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman met councillors and representatives from charities and the Environment Agency at Paddock Community Forum.
The group discussed plans for an organisation to look after the River Holme, the River Colne and their tributaries using full-time rangers and education programmes.
The move follows criticism recently of the state of the rivers – our picture shows the River Colne near King’s Bridge – with rubbish dumped in them by individuals and problems caused by companies.
Mr Sheerman said that while the rivers are in good health, companies and people are spoiling them by littering and fly-tipping.
The group says it will investigate what money and time is needed to maintain the rivers before it applies for funding.
Mr Sheerman said: “We have fantastic rivers and streams with lots of fish. Fishermen come and love the fishing. Our rivers have amazing potential, but they are made ugly by people and companies who carelessly throw masses of rubbish in the rivers.”
