Updated: Weir On The Wey, Plans Agreed to Repair Navigation Damage After Collapse

Published on: 4 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 5 Dec, 2019

The collapsed Tumbling Bay Weir with the breached temporary dam, formed of bags of ballast, put in place in the days following the collapse.

By Martin Giles

Plans to make the River Wey navigable through Guildford again, after the collapse of Tumbling Bay Weir, have been agreed by Guildford Borough Council, the National Trust and the Environment Agency.

Peter O’Connell

Details of “who-pays-for-what” have not been released but Peter O’Connell, director of Environment at GBC said those involved “have agreed how to address the immediate issue and how this is to be funded with partners”.

Immediate repairs to the weir (GBC also calls it “Town Mill Weir”) failed to return water levels to normal.

A GBC spokesperson said: “We placed about 100 bulk bags filled with inert material, covered with impervious heavy-duty sheeting to plug the gap. ”

This was always meant to be a temporary solution but worked only for 48 hours when a heavy peak in river flow topped the barrier and washed much of it away.

“We are now arranging for a different solution, a MURLAC Frame Dam System [not Portadam as previously reported] (see pictures below), to divert river flow and enable construction of a cofferdam where the failed weir used to be. This will be a temporary fix intended to restore the navigation while the permanent solution is designed.”

Mr O’Connell added: “Our priorities are public safety and making the river navigable again.

“The dams will raise water levels and limit damage to the river banks. Surrey County Council is also offering specialist expertise. We are continuing to work together with the National Trust to agree responsibilities and our priority remains to complete the remedial work, pending a permanent solution as soon as possible.”

The cofferdam is to be installed early in 2020 which will render the navigation usable.

The River Bed exposed by Millmead Lock after the dramatic drop in water level caused by the weir collapse.

The weir collapse left Guildford Rowing Club high and dry at Shalford Meadow. Some members had a lucky escape. Club secretary Paul Woowat said: “At the time of the collapse, luckily, there were no rowers, although a group of juniors had just come off the water.

“The fast current and quick drop in water levels would have had devastating effects on rowers and equipment if they had been on the water.

“Since the incident, we have been discussing options with the National Trust, Guildford Kayak Club, Guildford Sea Cadets and a whole range of organisations, including other rowing clubs on the Thames such as Walton RC and Weybridge RC, who may be able to give us a short-term home.

“Without exception, everyone has been incredibly helpful in supporting our club. We have forged strong bonds with these other river-users, especially those in Guildford itself.

“We now have a temporary rowing home at Dapdune Wharf, courtesy of the National Trust and Guildford Sea Cadets. This is not ideal for rowing because the river has sharp bends to navigate, but it’s been helpful in getting rowers back on the water. Our junior squad has also used Hawley Lake Sail Training Centre, in Hampshire.

Guildford Rowing Club has had its home on the Wey since 1880.

“Normally, we would be able to use stretches of the Thames but most of the river has been effectively closed for long periods due to near-flood conditions.

“We have a group of masters going to South Africa for a rowing camp and regatta in January. They were able to borrow an eight from Cygnet Rowing Club and row on the Tideway, the tidal part of the Thames used by the Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

“The National Trust has now updated us with the next stage of their plan, which is to build the Portadam just outside Guildford Rowing Club, forcing all the river flow through the sluice gates opposite the club. This will restore water levels but the new flow will make it dangerous and we have been advised not to use it.

The Portadam under construction today (December 4).

“We understand the MURLAC dam will be constructed on Wednesday, December 4, which will enable the Tumbling Bay Weir to be isolated using steel piling while repairs are done. The piling is to be installed from the middle to end of January.

“We hope the cofferdam will then be deconstructed and normal water levels restored to allow us to row normally.

The Portadam is positioned by Guildford Rowing Club just downstream from a sluice, visible on the left under the footbridge, which feeds the natural course of the river in Millmead.

“Members of our club, which was founded in 1880, have been working on development plans to build a new rowing club on the site. We have concerns that this event will delay plans and funds available.

“Using other locations incurs additional costs for the club and members themselves.  We fear a reduction in membership numbers because those with less rowing experience may look elsewhere for exercise, sport and leisure time.”

Jacqui Mooney, National Trust general manager for the River Wey Navigations, said: “Our priority is to return the navigation back to being safe and usable as soon as possible. It is likely that the towpath will remain only partly accessible until the new permanent weir replacement is complete.”

Farncombe Boat House has not responded to our invitation to comment on the impact on their business.

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