Latest plans for the repair of Exeter’s Trews Weir are beginning to emerge.
The revised plans will see major repairs to the River Exe landmark after reduced water levels revealed that parts of the weir that were previously underwater were in poor condition.
The project will secure the long-term future of the weir, and along with it, the historic Exeter Canal and vibrant Exeter Quay.
Cllr Ruth Williams, Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor with responsibility for City Management, said new plans were being drawn up after a number of technical and environmental constraints had emerged on the original scheme, increasing the complexity and cost or repairs.
“For various reasons, the cost of the original scheme increased from around £7 million to £12 million and even with grant funding from the Environment Agency, we didn’t have the funding to cover this significant increase,” she said.
“Instead, we undertook a fundamental review of the scheme and developed a revised approach focused on repairing, stabilising and strengthening the existing weir. Our engineers have been working on these plans throughout the year.”
While narrower in scope than the original proposal, the revised scheme provides a practical, deliverable and affordable solution that addresses the condition of the weir, improves its resilience for years to come and avoids the flood risk and delivery challenges identified through the detailed design process.
Cllr Williams said the Council continues to engage with the Environment Agency throughout, regarding fish passage through the weir.
The existing fish pass was constructed by the Environment Agency, and the Council will support the Environment Agency with any fish pass improvements it wishes to make.
However, the revised scheme does propose measures intended to improve conditions for migratory fish, including the removal of an existing low wall on the weir and modifications to the bypass channel to help direct fish towards the existing fish pass.
The Council will undertake stakeholder and public engagement as the detailed design develops and once proposals have reached an appropriate level of detail to enable meaningful consultation.
Ecological considerations continue to form part of the design and consenting process, alongside ongoing discussions with the Environment Agency.
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