National Trust Announce Funding Secured At Last for Weir Bridge Repair

Published on: 10 Jan, 2025
Updated on: 10 Jan, 2025

The weir shortly after its collapse in 2019.

By Martin Giles

Five years after the dramatic collapse of the footbridge over Tumbling Bay Weir the National Trust have announced that funding has been secured for its repair. But work to reinstate the bridge is not expected to commence until next year, 2026.

The YouTube video below was captured by a lady on the bridge as it collapsed. Fortunately she was able to leap clear.

In 2024 the Trust tendered for, and commissioned, a feasibility study of Millbrook Weir. Over the summer months, a local specialist engineering firm conducted detailed geotechnical and structural investigations.

Using the data from these surveys, engineers have been able to design a replacement structure, which reuses the materials in the current temporary weir as much as possible.

The closed towpath over Tumbling Bay Weir as it has appeared for five years. Photo Guildford Society

A National Trust spokesperson said: Following this detailed understanding of the required works, we are delighted to have secured the expected funds for the replacement project, which includes both the weir and bridge.

“2025 will be spent gaining the necessary permissions and agreements required. We will be working through a variety of agencies to ensure that any flood risks posed by conducting this work are mitigated, as well as tendering for the construction phase of the project.”

NT hopes to be able to deliver the replacement works over the summer of 2026, but say there is an element of risk to this date “as there are several factors to work through”. There is also a very narrow three-month window of opportunity to complete the works due to water levels. Even a small delay in securing permissions, or a change to the costs, would mean that the project is pushed back by an extended timeframe.

See more Tumbling Bay Weir articles here.

The Trust spokesperson continued: “We’d like to acknowledge the support of so many people locally who have expressed to us how much the bridge means to them and campaigned wholeheartedly for it to be reinstated. We share their passion for bringing back this much needed part of Guildford’s heritage. We appreciate their patience and hope for their continued support as we lead the next phase of the project, with a more certain future for Millbrook weir and bridge.

“Ensuring equal access to green space, especially in an urban setting like Guildford, is a fundamental aim of the National Trust. We understand the importance of the riverside walks that the Wey Navigation offers to the community of Guildford, and the role that these areas play for wellbeing, socialising, exercise, leisure and enjoying nature.

“This is why, through external funding, we have been resurfacing and strengthening the towpath between the railway bridge opposite Dapdune Wharf to Walnut Bridge and will continue to maintain the towpath and Navigation to keep it as accessible to the community as possible.”