Fish that have been unable to access historic spawning grounds in the decades since the Diglis Weir was constructed will soon be able to get up river.

A scheme put forward by the Canal and Rivers Trust to build a ‘fish pass’ at Diglis Weir was approved by Worcester City Council’s planning committee.

The pass is essentially a tunnel filled with water along the side of the river, bypassing the barrier of the weir and allowing the fish to get upriver.

The Diglis pass will also feature an underwater viewing gallery to let people see the fish as they head upstream.

The main point of contention was the disruption that may be caused to local residents by traffic getting to the site during construction.

Although there is a sewage plant very near to the site of the weir, Severn Trent has not agreed to allow traffic through it to enable building the fish pass.

Therefore, up to 12 truck journeys a day might be made for nine months down Kingfisher path which runs from Bromwich Road to the river.

Bill Jay spoke against the plan, especially on behalf of residents living next to the entrance to the path.

He said: “They are very worried about this construction traffic. There will be noise and dust – in the summer months they won’t be able to open their windows or sit outside. They are also worried about the effect on the foundations of their house of all these heavy 20 tonne trucks entering the lane.”

Speaking for the Canal and River Trust, Jason Leach said that the trust has offered to survey the residents’ house before and after construction and to put right any damage caused by the construction work.

Councillors Adrian Gregson and Pat Agar were critical of Severn Trent for not being “more flexible” in allowing construction traffic to use its site.

The fish pass is part of a much larger project called Unlocking the Severn for People and Wildlife, with three other passes around weirs on the rivers in Wychavon and Malvern districts already approved.

In particular it will allow Twaite and Allis shad and sea lampreys to get to historic spawning grounds upriver.

Councillor Chris Cawthorne was enthusiastic about the proposals. She said: “This is one of the most exciting things I’ve heard of for a while. This will not just benefit Worcester or Worcestershire but the whole of the river in three counties.”

The proposal was passed by seven votes to two against.