A PROJECT aimed at tackling pollution in the Upper Aire catchment in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has received a prestigious conservation award.

The Environment Agency led Upper Aire Land Management and Habitat Project was recognised by the Wild Trout Trust at its Conservation Awards in London, where it won a prize for the best large scale habitat enhancement scheme.

The agency has been working in partnership during the past five years to tackle diffuse pollution in the Upper Aire catchment, which runs through the national park.

Working with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership has allowed the project to tackle the issues with landowners and farmers.

The most common causes of water pollution are rain water that runs off agricultural and urban land, and the discharges of waste water from industry and sewage overflows.

And starting with demonstration plots to prove the benefits, the project has worked with 15 landowners to carry out projects such as fencing buffer strips, visited more than 50 farms to advise on nutrient management and planted 27 hectares of woodland.

It has meant a reduction in pollution and also helped to slow the flow of flood water and improve the quality of habitat for wildlife.

“This has been an amazing project to be involved in and it goes to show what can be achieved with great partners," said Environment Agency project manager, Pete Turner.

"Our rivers are the healthiest for 20 years, and we are working hard to maintain what we have achieved so far and to further improve water quality and biodiversity."

He added: “The work that Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership have done to engage landowners and promote the project has been fantastic.

"I hope this award will raise the profile of the project further and bring in even more partners in the future so we can continue delivering benefits in the area.”

Dr Paul Gaskell, from the Wild Trout Trust, added: “A significant reason for the success of this project was the use of direct proof of its benefits to potential partners via demonstration plots.

"This was made possible by the buy-in of early adopters and, in combination with a highly passionate team, resulted in numerous farmers actually requesting to be included in the project."

And he added his congratulations to Mr Turner and the Environment Agency team and its partners.

The Environment Agency will work in partnership with water companies and others during the next five years to improve 6,000 kilometres of rivers and 50 bathing waters.