03/01/2006 - Native white-clawed crayfish are thriving in one of the most unlikely urban parts of Leeds, thanks to work by Yorkshire Water in partnership with the Environment Agency. The Sheepscar area, just north of Leeds city centre, is notable mainly for a large and fast-moving traffic interchange where pedestrians are rarely seen, much less wildlife.

But now Britain’s only native crayfish, the freshwater white-clawed crayfish, has been found in Meanwood Beck at the point where it runs through the Sheepscar area.

Martin Christmas, a biodiversity specialist for the Environment Agency, explains:

“The native white-clawed crayfish is protected under European and UK legislation, and is currently under threat from the larger American Signal Crayfish, which is taking over.

“The upper more rural parts of Meanwood Beck have long been recognised as one of the most important sites for native white-clawed crayfish in West Yorkshire, but their habitat range in the Beck has been restricted because of the poor quality of water in the more urban sections.

“We’ve been in negotiation with Yorkshire Water, and this has led to a lot of investment on cleaning up the combined sewage and rainwater overflows that discharge to Meanwood Beck.

“This has meant improved water quality and the chance for the white-claws to extend their range downstream.”

“Recently when Leeds City Council applied to clear debris from the Beck at Sheepscar the Environment Agency ensured that checks for the presence of white-claws were carried out before the work began.

“Despite the very urban nature of the river at Sheepscar, and the fact crayfish are not very active in winter, several were found, including a female carrying eggs. They were moved out of harm’s way before any clearance work began.

“All this means that one of the country’s endangered species is establishing a foothold in an unlikely looking area, and of course our urban rivers and streams are getting cleaner, thanks to investment by the water companies in partnership with us.”