Shrewsbury tourist boat future 'at risk' over 'unprecedented' reed growth affects service
A popular boat tourist attraction's future has been put "at risk" because of the amount of reed growing in a changing River Severn.
That's the view of Dilwyn Jones, managing director of Sabrina Tours, whose seven-trips-a-day service regularly delights tourists in Shrewsbury.
"In the last 12 months, the River Severn has become a lot shallower and the growth of reeds is very unprecedented, this is the reason why we have been catching the bottom of the boat on some trips," said Mr Jones.
The reeds have also been tangling up on the boat's propeller meaning that someone has to go into the river to clean up the strangled propulsion unit. Mr Jones wanted to emphasise that every time they have to get into the river they wear all the protective clothing, following safety procedures with another person close by.
"The river is definitely changing, I am flabbergasted how much it has changed in the last 12 months. We haven't seen the reeds grow as much as they have in the last 12 months."
