Work underway to conserve Castle Weir in Ludlow
Work to conserve Castle Weir, one of the foremost scenic attractions of Ludlow, is to get underway on the River Teme below Ludlow Castle today.
The two-month project was initiated by the owners, Dinham Millennium Green Trust, a local charity body which is made up entirely of volunteers.
Considerable help with funding for the project has come from Shropshire Council – through the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme – and from The Veolia Environmental Trust, who award grants to community and environmental projects through the Landfill Communities Fund. The council has contributed £50,000 and The Veolia Environmental Trust £48,000.
During the anticipated low water period during late summer, the plans will focus on 30 metres of the Weir – running from the rear of the Mill On The Green – and on the strengthening of stone structure along the entire length of the Weir’s ‘toe’.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member leading on the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme, said:
“It’s encouraging to see the project get going. The site is an important part of Ludlow for locals and tourists alike and I’m pleased to see the funds from the programme help these worthwhile works.”
Mr Paul Nicholls, Dinham Millennium Green Trust Chairman, said:
“We owe huge thanks to these two funding bodies [Shropshire Council and Veolia Environmental Trust] for their help with this phase of the work and for seeing the merit and urgency of our scheme.
“We still have considerable work to do. Plans are in the pipeline for phase 2 of the operation, which will hopefully go ahead the same period of next year. The Weir is very important to Ludlow, not least for its historical and scenic attributes, and after inspections revealed damaged structure beneath the waterline, we couldn’t afford to delay”.
Alongside the Trust’s project, The Environment Agency, with Severn Rivers Trust, plans to create a much-needed fish pass through meadowland at the Weir’s north-western end. This too must be completed quickly in order to accommodate the October/November run of salmon moving upstream to spawn. Low water in 2011 meant that many failed to make the journey.
Mr Nicholls added:
“The fish pass is not on Trust property but we are absolutely delighted to see it. We have sought and received assurances that it will not seriously divert water ‘cascading’ over the Weir. We may also have a ‘Visitor Video Link’ to salmon activity.”
Maria Cade, the acting executive of The Veolia Environmental Trust, said:
“We are so pleased to be supporting this project that will make the Weir and its surrounding area a safe and enjoyable place for the whole community. It is great to hear that work is starting and I look forward to seeing the completed results.”
