A NEW scheme designed to improve the ecology and sustainability of the River Tavy was officially opened last Friday by Tavistock mayor Anne Johnson. The Abbey Weir fish screen was a joint partnership project between South West Water and the Environment Agency and the system became operational just before Christmas. The River Tavy is a key habitat for migrating salmon and is protected by a 'salmon action plan' . The modifications mean that younger, smaller fish can no longer become trapped in the leat system serving hydro power stations at Mary Tavy and Morwellham. The new weir will also ease the upstream migration. South West Water's operations director, Dr Stephen Bird, said: 'This is just one of several strands of work we are progressing that help to promote sustainable thinking. 'These improvements will also help to secure the future of the renewable power produced by South West Water's hydro plants, which produce enough clean green energy for over 4,000 homes.' An application for planning permission was recently submitted for a similar river improvement scheme at Hillbridge Weir near Peter Tavy.
