A HUGE dam of dead wood has clogged up a river near one of Worcester's most famous historic landmarks as some fear it will cause flooding.

A city fisherman says salmon cannot even swim up-river to spawn because of flood debris which has formed a growing island near the famous Civil War bridge.

The pensioner, who lives nearby, said the rubbish has been building up by Powick Old Bridge for the last five months, clogging up the River Teme completely.

However, an Environment Agency spokesperson says the blockage will be cleared away 'within weeks'.

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These photos, taken this week, show the section of the Teme near the Powick Old Bridge blocked up with thick mounds of debris including branches and driftwood.

The piles of dead, rotting wood can be seen clearly from the historic grade I listed bridge, the site of the famous Civil War skirmish called The Battle of Powick Bridge, fought on September 23 1642.

Worcester News: HISTORIC: Powick Old Bridge, site of an English Civil War skirmish HISTORIC: Powick Old Bridge, site of an English Civil War skirmish

However, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency confirmed the debris would be cleared up within the next few weeks to reduce the risk of flooding. 

Worcester News: ISLAND: An island of debris near Powick Old Bridge on the River TemeISLAND: An island of debris near Powick Old Bridge on the River Teme

John Edwards, a bailiff from Worcester City Fishing Club, said: "It's all come down again. It isn't letting the fish come up to spawn and breed.

"That debris has been there five months. When the flood water comes again it's going to back up even more. It's a flood risk, definitely."

The 73-year-old added: "It's also become a bottleneck for the salmon. It needs sorting out before the winter. I've been fishing there since I was a boy. When they used to cut the trees down we never had this problem.

"This is the worst I've ever seen it. It's a right mess. It's horrendous."

Worcester News: EYESORE: There was a traffic cone on the opposite side of the Powick Old Bridge on the outskirts of Worcester, near Lower WickEYESORE: There was a traffic cone on the opposite side of the Powick Old Bridge on the outskirts of Worcester, near Lower Wick

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of debris around Powick Bridge and will be clearing the build up in the next few weeks.

“This will improve the river’s flow and reduce flood risk for nearby communities for the autumn and winter months ahead.

“Debris around the bridge can be difficult to remove in the spawning season (Oct-July) without disturbing sediment which impacts upon any gravels downstream which would be an offence under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (legislation.gov.uk) – section 2.4 (disturbance of spawning fish).”

Responsibility for the structure of the bridge lies with the owners, Worcestershire Highways.

The Environment Agency spokesperson added: "We regularly clear debris from around the bridge to improve the flow of the River Teme. We do this as part of our flood risk management work."