The Tees Rivers Trust’s vision for a fish pass at Ingleby Weir

I came across an interesting Facebook post about The Tees Rivers Trust’s proposal to construct a fish pass near the weir on Ingleby Beck. The purpose of this pass is to enable fish to migrate upstream, as weirs pose a significant barrier for small fish. While I’m unsure about the exact commencement date of the project, I thought it would be worthwhile to visit the location beforehand and observe the current state.

The fish pass will involve the creation of a bypass channel, partially following the path of the old mill race¹NYM NPA HER No: 22122 Mill race for Ingleby Mill. This channel will feature two “sleeper fords” designed with gentle slopes and a multi-layer rock bottom of loosely constructed rocks. To enhance the pass, boulder bars will be strategically placed along the slopes, creating intermediate pools where fish can take a rest during their journey. The Trust has already completed one fish pass at the mill itself. This will give a better idea of what’s involved.

The weir will become dry, flowing only in times of flood.

It’s fascinating to learn that the beck was once home to various native species such as Brown trout, eel, minnow, stoneloach, bullhead, lamprey, and even salmon. Unfortunately, nationally, the populations of these species have drastically declined over the years, pushing many of them to the brink of endangerment. This decline not only affects the fish themselves but also impacts the availability of food for numerous mammals and birds in the area.

Located a short distance downstream is Ingleby Mill, which is likely to be on the same site granted to Whitby Abbey by Adam de Ingleby in the 12th century²Heritage Gateway URL: https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MNY24948&resourceID=1009. In the early 13th century, the abbot leased the mill to Hugh de Balliol, the lord of the manor at the time. Following the Dissolution, the mill, along with other properties of Whitby Abbey, came under the ownership of the lord of the manor, who also possessed another water corn-mill in Ingleby³Parishes: Ingleby Greenhow | British History Online URL: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/north/vol2/pp243-249#p3.

• 1
  NYM NPA HER No: 22122 Mill race for Ingleby Mill
• 2
  Heritage Gateway URL: https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MNY24948&resourceID=1009
• 3
  Parishes: Ingleby Greenhow | British History Online URL: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/north/vol2/pp243-249#p3