Furore over Northmoor Weir
A CAMPAIGN has been mounted to save the unique Northmoor Weir on the Thames in Oxfordshire.
The Environment Agency is planning to replace the only paddle and rymer weir left in the world that spans a whole river, which is a travesty in itself, writes Rebecca Hopkins.
No effect
But, combine this with the fact that it will cost £3 million, and the Environment Agency have admitted that its replacement will have no effect on flood management at all.
For three years they have insisted that it is essential for flood protection, and the money has come from flood defence funds, only recently have they admitted that this is not true. There are communities all over Oxfordshire whose homes are at real risk of flooding. The £3 million should be spent on them.
60 years lifespan
The weir was refurbished in 1995 and given a 60 year lifespan.
They then say it is for Health and Safety reasons, but independent research has proved that there have been no recorded injuries on the weir in the last 115 years (though there have been many with automated weirs). Also the data produced by the Environment Agency about the risks associated with working the weir have been assessed, again independently, and shown to be hugely flawed.
Bullying
The decision to replace Northmoor Weir is once again the Environment Agency doing exactly what it wants, hiding the facts, bullying communities and their staff to get what it wants.
It is perhaps worth linking this issue with that of its plans to get rid of resident lock keepers. The paddle and rymer is a specialised skill that would take far too much (half a day?) training and management of 'roaming' lock keepers to keep—best spend £3 million in order to avoid this?!