Banbridge Angling Club gets grant boost

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced funding to the Ballydown and Shanrod Improvement Project.

A grant of £7,800 will be given to Banbridge Angling Club for the creation of new spawning habitats for both migratory and local salmonids (salmon, dollaghan and trout), the creation of a fish pass and erection of fencing to provide a buffer zone.

The grant will be provided by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) who each year invites voluntary and community groups, local councils and other not-for-profit organisations to compete for grant funding.

Mr Durkan said: “It is always great to see local people getting involved to improve their local environment. These grants enable communities to use their local knowledge of rivers in their area to make a positive, targeted difference. I commend Banbridge Angling Club for their great vision here. They very much deserve to be rewarded for that.

“Cleaner, healthier rivers will support tourism and benefit local communities socially.

“I want to build on our positive relationships.”

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