The latest project from Green Cat Contracting (GCC), the Fair-A-Far Fish Pass, officially opened April 2018.
Contracting was awarded the project in June 2017, work began in August, and the structure was completed in February 2018.
The Fair-A-Far Fish Pass is part of the four-year RiverLife: Almond & Avon project which began in 2016, and completes in 2020. It is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), SEPA WEF, the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council (WLC) and the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC), and hosted by the River Forth Fisheries Trist (RFFT).
The project is tasked with improving fish passage and enhancing the local environment on the River Almond and its catchment through a series of works to weirs along the watercourse.
GCC was tasked with rebuilding work on the Fair-A-Far Weir – a B-listed historical structure – northwest of Cramond. The brief was to repair the masonry weir crest, and install a Larinier fish pass using the footprint of the existing fish pass as much as possible.
As it was, the weir was obstructing passage by species such as salmon, trout, eel, sea lamprey and brook lamprey and was, as such, a high priority barrier for improvement.
“This has been a great project to be involved in. Although it was the first fish pass Green Cat has constructed, our experience in concrete structures and hydro electric schemes gave us the comparable experience to go on and do justice to the great looking design, whilst working in a tricky river environment,” said Green Cat Contracting Project Manager, Cameron Gillespie.
“It was certainly a challenge at times, with the river level on the Almond fluctuating by up to 2.5 metres whilst in spate, and suffering several bouts of inactivity due to flooding.
“However, we’re thrilled to have been involved in a project that will contribute so much to the natural environment along the River Almond.”
Green Cat Renewables Director, Gavin Catto, added: “This has been a very challenging project for our team working in the river throughout winter, but the finished work looks great, and will hopefully contribute to the environment and habitat of the River Almond for many years to come.”