ANGLERS are up in arms over plans to remove a local weir, saying it would result in "environmental and ecological disaster."

The Environment Agency, which owns the long-standing Powick Weir in the River Teme near Worcester, says it wants to increase the population of the protected Twaite Shad fish and that a partial removal of the weir is one option being looked at.

But anglers say the consequences would be "catastrophic" and more than 150 people have already joined the Save Powick Weir Facebook group to lobby the EA to scrap the idea.

Lawrence Breakspear, who fishes the River Teme at Powick, set up the group. He fears removal of the weir could “decimate” fish stocks and may cause chemical-filled sediment to wash into the River Severn.

“If they remove the weir it will result in a catastrophic drop of at least one metre of water in the weir - from directly above the weir right the way up to Bransford.

"The lower Powick weir right up to its confluence with the River Severn is a major breeding area for fish.

"If they move the weir we will have areas that will dry out where fish fry will die, but more importantly the bigger fish that take refuge in the deeper pools will become very susceptible to predator action and decimate fish stocks in that area."

The weir is thought to date back 400 years and Mr Breakspear says in that time sediment and silt containing chemicals and metal particles has built up.

“Once the weir is removed that sediment will wash down the weir and into the River Severn,” Mr Breakspear added. "It is a prime fishing stretch, there are numerous fishing clubs. It will destroy probably three to four miles of river. It will be an environmental and ecological disaster."

Steve Pope, chairman of The Barbel Society - an angling club which was formed in Upton - said: "I am very concerned at the drop in water level that will occur if the weir is removed. The Barbel Society has leased a section of the River Teme at Bransford for 20 years so we very much have an interest as we have also spent a lot of money on habitat improvement works.

"The drastic change that will occur cannot possibly help recruitment and if the removal goes ahead local fishing clubs will see their membership levels fall."

Des Taylor, angling writer and Angling Trust ambassador added: "Whilst I understand and agree with the potential environmental and ecological concerns regarding Powick weirs removal, I cannot understand why a known haven for wildlife, a natural breeding area for fish and a great spot to fish would want to be removed by anyone."

The EA said if the weir was removed it would be taken down in a "controlled manner" which would involve temporarily diverting the river.

Dave Clarke from the EA said: "Last Friday, April 22 we held a public drop-in session to update landowners, local residents and the angling community about the proposed changes.

"The aim of this project is to help reconnect Twaite Shad to over 200km of historic spawning and nursery habitats. It will also benefit the population of other fish species on the Rivers Severn and Teme.

"We will be using the feedback we received from the session when making considerations about the final designs.

"We appreciate that some people may have concerns about the impact changes to the weir might have. If the weir is partially removed, as proposed in the outline designs, this will cause a drop in river levels in the immediate area surrounding the weir, but part of our design process will be to consider these impacts.

"Any silt upstream of the river will be assessed prior to any works taking place and appropriate action taken."

A meeting of the Angling Trust Midlands Fisheries Forum will take place at Worcester Racecourse tonight (Thursday) from 6.45pm to discuss the opposition to removing the weir.