Thousands back idea to reopen River Wye through High Wycombe - now let's make it happen

Reopening the precious chalk stream – which has been buried in dark and dank concrete culverts, devoid of all wildlife and nature, under parts of the town centre since the 1960s – has been talked about since around 2017, but no firm plans have been progressed.

Despite this, the appeal of the project has not lessened. Years later and the discussions are still ongoing. The Bucks Free Press supports bringing the river back to the surface, as does the High Wycombe Society and Revive The Wye.

Much of the river through High Wycombe town centre is buried underground in culverts like this one, by Wycombe Police Station

Now, thanks to a definitive poll by the Bucks Free Press, we know once and for all that thousands of our readers are also in favour of the plan, with 2,259 votes - 95 per cent – for the River Wye resurfacing, and just 123 votes – five per cent – against.

Despite a convincing case for bringing the Wye back up to the surface worked on by former councillor Hugh McCarthy, which found that it was technically feasible, the exciting plans were shelved by the then-Wycombe District Council back in October 2019 because of the costs - although they admitted the plan had widespread support.

Although the project was put on a backburner by the old district council, in March this year, Cllr Martin Tett, then leader of Buckinghamshire Council, agreed it would be “fantastic” and an “absolute jewel for High Wycombe” - but said there would be “significant logistical issues” relating to the Abbey Way flyover, and again funding for the £3 million project was mentioned.

Concrete was king in the 1960s, and our beautiful and rare River Wye was buried underneath it in large sections of the town

But former councillor McCarthy said the river would help draw in shoppers and the local economy could see £7 in return for every £1 spent on the project.

At a time where local businesses are just starting to reopen following the devastating coronavirus pandemic, we think now is the time to be investing in our town centre and helping it thrive in the way it thoroughly deserves.

Café culture, outdoor dining and street entertainment is on the up as town centre managers look for ways to entice people back to the amazing shops, bars and restaurants High Wycombe boasts after a dreadful year.

This CGI showed how the river could look if it was reopened by the Eden roundabout

And what better way to encourage visitors – both tourists and residents alike – than by providing a sparkling river, full of wildlife and nature, to marvel at as they relax and sample the delights local eateries have to offer?

Not only would this help make High Wycombe a real destination – the abundance of wildlife that calls the River Wye its home would no doubt be grateful.

Sadly this piece is being written on the same day that HS2 launches the giant machines that will create the 10-mile long Chiltern tunnels – a move that has provoked fears for the chalk aquifer which provides drinking water to thousands of people as well as supporting the special chalk streams the River Misbourne and River Chess.

This CGI showed how the river could look if it was reopened by the Eden roundabout

Where huge ecological damage is being done elsewhere in our county because of HS2, Buckinghamshire Council could show its commitment to improving our natural environment elsewhere.

Aside from nature, councillors have long been scratching their heads trying to think of ways to improve High Wycombe town centre for residents and shoppers.

Efforts are being made to clean-up the reputation of areas like Desborough Road and Frogmoor by banning alcohol and prostitution, adding vibrant artworks, new benches, free WiFi, mini ‘parklets’ and encouraging a raft of new businesses and restaurants to open up.

A view of work in progress to culvert the River Wye, from close to the Methodist Church in Oxford Road, High Wycombe, on October 29, 1965. Bucks Free Press archive photo stored digitally by swop.org.uk

We think this could be taken even further, so our plea to all new councillors is this – give residents, the ones who voted you into power to represent them, what they want and reopen our precious River Wye.

Our town centre, which already has so much going for it, could be even more amazing. Like The Rye, it could be a jewel in High Wycombe’s crown.

Reopening the river would be a win for shop owners, for shoppers, for residents and for nature – we just can’t see a downside. We now need our new councillors to step up and make a reopened river a reality.