Dams Plan For Weir Repairs, But Who Will Pay the Bill?

Published on: 29 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 30 Nov, 2019

Bags of ballast lowered into the gap left by the weir collapse to form, according to earlier council reports, a cofferdam – photo Christopher Carter.

By Martin Giles

Rumours of continued wrangling over who will pay for the repair of the collapsed Tumbling Bay Weir in Millmead continue to swirl around like troubled waters and a Guildford Borough Council statement has confirmed that negotiations continue.

Peter O’Connell, the council’s director of Environment, said: “We continue to work closely with the National Trust and the Environment Agency to mitigate the impact of the collapsed weir.

“Our priority is public safety and making the river navigable again. We have completed a joint initial assessment and have drawn up plans to achieve this.  This will include the construction of a portadam and a cofferdam.

“These actions will serve to raise water levels and limit any damage to the river banks. Surrey County Council is also supporting the work by offering specialist expertise.

A wider view, taken earlier this month when the initial repair work was underway – photo Christopher Carter.

“We are continuing to work together with NT to agree responsibilities and our priority remains to complete the remedial work, pending a permanent solution as soon as possible.”

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