PLANS for changes to Powick weir to help increase populations of rare fish are being aired during a public drop-in session organised by its owners, the Environment Agency.

The session is being held today, Friday, at Callow End Village Hall, between 2pm and 7pm.

Agency staff are currently working with partners on a project to raise numbers of fish on the rivers Severn and Teme, including the rare twaite shad, a migratory sea fish which migrates to these rivers to spawn.

The project will reconnect shad to over 200km of historic spawning and nursery habitats through work at a number of key sites on both rivers, including Powick weir.

As owners of the weir, the Environment Agency has an obligation to investigate options which maintain and improve fish stocks, including the removal of the weir. The preferred solution will be influenced by biodiversity, amenity and economic considerations.

David Clarke, project executive from the Environment Agency said: "During recent months we have carried out important background work to determine the best solution to assist the natural recovery of the river at Powick. The drop-in session is an opportunity to provide an update to interested parties on the proposals.

"There will be information displays and representatives from the Environment Agency available to answer questions at the session."