Date published: 17 July 2024
A productive discussion at Colchester City Council’s Scrutiny Panel took place last week, with an interim update report on the ongoing Middle Mill Weir repairs, with key stakeholders having their say.
Councillor Darius Laws, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, led a discussion based on an update report outlining the project’s progress, stakeholder engagement, and three potential solutions for the weir. Joining the Panel were Councillor David King, Leader of the Council, and representatives from Colchester Canoe Club who shared their concerns about the impact on their club and members.
The report outlines significant progress made by the council since the collapse, despite the challenges posed by rising water levels. Structural engineers have conducted multiple site visits, and comprehensive surveys, including an electronic digital land survey, have been completed.
Further radar surveys are needed to locate any voids around the remaining weir structure and visual surveys to the bridge. High-water levels currently prevent their completion due the unprecedented wet weather preventing access to the riverbank under the bridge. More secure fencing, signs to explain what has happened to the weir, alongside new diversion signage was installed but sadly the diversion signs have since been vandalised. The Council is working with Essex Highways to provide stronger replacements. Additionally, we have been collaborating with the Environment Agency to address flood risk concerns.
Cllr Darius Laws, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, said: “We welcome the progress report and representation from the canoe club, and understand the frustration this situation has caused. It’s not often I, as a member of the opposition party, stand up for the Council, but on this occasion, I want to assure residents that the Council is doing everything it can to resolve this as quickly as possible.
“It is an extremely complex project, much more complicated than it looks on the surface. The challenges we face are significant and the work with key stakeholders and users of the river often results in conflicting needs and wants, but overall, it is clear that the Council is committed to overcoming them to move forward with a solution for the weir collapse.”
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, outlined the next steps for further survey work once water levels have dropped: “We know the loss of bridge and weir is upsetting for many users, and want this resolved as quickly as we can. We are making progress with options to repair the weir site. But recent high-water levels have delayed our surveying efforts.
“Evidence from those surveys and conversations with key stakeholders will drive the final decision. We will listen to the many users of the river and take account of the costs and consequences of the alternatives. We will find a way, but we will need to reconcile the likely differing views of regulators and users, to work with many key stakeholders including local residents, the Environment Agency, Natural England, Anglian Water, Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust, and Historic England to resolve this issue as swiftly as we can."
The Council understands how frustrating and inconvenient the bridge closure is, but safety must be the number one priority.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: “The bridge had to be closed from a safety point of view. While the bridge itself remains intact, any further movement of the remaining weir structure could damage the bridge, so ensuring the safety of our residents is our top priority."
The Council is committed to resolving this complex issue as swiftly as possible and will continue to provide updates as work moves forward with the necessary repairs and safety measures.
A productive discussion at Colchester City Council’s Scrutiny Panel took place last week, with an interim update report on the ongoing Middle Mill Weir repairs, with key stakeholders having their say.
Councillor Darius Laws, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, led a discussion based on an update report outlining the project’s progress, stakeholder engagement, and three potential solutions for the weir. Joining the Panel were Councillor David King, Leader of the Council, and representatives from Colchester Canoe Club who shared their concerns about the impact on their club and members.
The report outlines significant progress made by the council since the collapse, despite the challenges posed by rising water levels. Structural engineers have conducted multiple site visits, and comprehensive surveys, including an electronic digital land survey, have been completed.
Further radar surveys are needed to locate any voids around the remaining weir structure and visual surveys to the bridge. High-water levels currently prevent their completion due the unprecedented wet weather preventing access to the riverbank under the bridge. More secure fencing, signs to explain what has happened to the weir, alongside new diversion signage was installed but sadly the diversion signs have since been vandalised. The Council is working with Essex Highways to provide stronger replacements. Additionally, we have been collaborating with the Environment Agency to address flood risk concerns.
Cllr Darius Laws, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, said: “We welcome the progress report and representation from the canoe club, and understand the frustration this situation has caused. It’s not often I, as a member of the opposition party, stand up for the Council, but on this occasion, I want to assure residents that the Council is doing everything it can to resolve this as quickly as possible.
“It is an extremely complex project, much more complicated than it looks on the surface. The challenges we face are significant and the work with key stakeholders and users of the river often results in conflicting needs and wants, but overall, it is clear that the Council is committed to overcoming them to move forward with a solution for the weir collapse.”
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, outlined the next steps for further survey work once water levels have dropped: “We know the loss of bridge and weir is upsetting for many users, and want this resolved as quickly as we can. We are making progress with options to repair the weir site. But recent high-water levels have delayed our surveying efforts.
“Evidence from those surveys and conversations with key stakeholders will drive the final decision. We will listen to the many users of the river and take account of the costs and consequences of the alternatives. We will find a way, but we will need to reconcile the likely differing views of regulators and users, to work with many key stakeholders including local residents, the Environment Agency, Natural England, Anglian Water, Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust, and Historic England to resolve this issue as swiftly as we can."
The Council understands how frustrating and inconvenient the bridge closure is, but safety must be the number one priority.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: “The bridge had to be closed from a safety point of view. While the bridge itself remains intact, any further movement of the remaining weir structure could damage the bridge, so ensuring the safety of our residents is our top priority."
The Council is committed to resolving this complex issue as swiftly as possible and will continue to provide updates as work moves forward with the necessary repairs and safety measures.
Page last reviewed: 17 July 2024