Torrs Hydro

The Torrs Hydro is located on the site of Torr Mill, a textile mill built in 1790 which was destroyed in a fire in 1912. The turbine actually sits in location of the original mill pit, where the water wheel would have been sited. Some of the original stones from the mill pit now line the surroundings of the turbine. The scheme has been built using local stone and is designed to blend into its post-industrial location. Careful landscaping and the provision of two picnic tables have enhanced the amenity of the site.Torrs Hydro works very closely with the Environment Agency, the guardian of the nation's rivers. They funded and own the fish pass incorporated into the scheme to allow upstream access for migratory fish. This will help the salmon which now enter the Mersey, downstream of the Goyt, access more spawning grounds. The slow rotating nature of the turbine itself is inherently fish friendly. There is no need to screen fish as they can pass through the turbine unharmed.Torrs Hydro is located in the Torrs Riverside Park in New Mills, Derbyshire. This amazing gorge is right underneath the town centre and is easily accessible by train to New Mills Newtown or Central stations, bus or car.Enter the Torrs Riverside Park from The Rock Tavern (Wirksmoor Road, Newtown), from New Mills Central station via the Millenium Walkway, from Hurst Lea Road, via steps from the town centre at the bus station or Rock St, from Hyde Bank Road and from Church Road adjacent to the entance to the Co-Op Car Park (Endsor Way on the map).There are great views of the Hydro scheme from the Union Road and Church Road bridges over the gorge.There are picnic tables close by to the Hydro and cafes and pubs in the town directly above the gorge. Regular Open days to see behind the scenes of the Hydro and fish pass will give you an insight to the countries first community owned and managed Hydro - check the website or torrs hydro blog for further details.