Council agrees £50k weir repairs (From Bucks Free Press)

Council agrees £50k Chesham weir repairs

1:10pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Andy Carswell

AN HISTORIC weir described as "a mess" is to be given a £50,000 revamp after councillors agreed to pay for improvements.

Lords Mill Weir in Chesham - which is listed in the Domesday Book - has had a series of temporary patch-up jobs made to it, but Chiltern District Council's cabinet were told it now needs a full permanent upgrade.

Members heard the authority would have to fork out for compensation in the event of flooding being caused by a faulty weir.

David Stowe, the council's assistant estates officer, said: "It can hold back a large volume of water and if it breaks there could be a strong surge with the potential to flood neighbouring properties. The council could be liable to claims of compensation."

A council report said 'urgent attention' needed to be paid to the 1,000 year old weir, with problems being reported to the authority by the Environment Agency in 2010.

Cabinet members agreed to set aside £50,000 to carry out full repairs after council leader Nick Rose said: "I drove past it yesterday and it's a mess - a wet mess."

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