The Environment Agency is progressing its plans for an £8 million weirs refurbishment scheme on the River Wey.

Next stages of the scheme will include the appointment of a construction contractor and obtaining all the necessary licenses, consents and planning approvals.

The River Wey can be navigated by boat, on natural and man-made sections, along the ‘Wey and Godalming Navigations’.

The navigations are owned and operated by the National Trust and the Environment Agency is responsible for maintaining the navigation and 18 weir structures. The River Wey weirs refurbishment scheme is focussed on 7 of the weirs, which require priority refurbishment and replacement.

The refurbishment scheme is a partnership project between the Environment Agency, National Trust, Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Woking Borough Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, and landowners.

The scheme includes the detailed design, refurbishment or replacement of 7 weir structures at key sites along the river – three at Guildford, two at Woking and one at Ripley and Weybridge respectively.

The scheme is designed to maintain the River Wey’s navigation (water) levels, but also complement the River Wey flood alleviation schemes. Many of the weirs are located in environmentally designated areas, so the scheme is also aiming to enhance the river’s biodiversity by improving fish and eel passage.

Following site investigations, and the development of environmental assessments, the design of new weirs has been completed. The 7 refurbished weirs have been designed to last for the next 70 years.

Total cost of the scheme will be close to £8 million, including the design, construction and maintenance of the weirs and weir structures. The Environment Agency is funding the scheme using Capital Grant.

The Agency is aiming to complete refurbishment of at least 3 weirs by the end of October 2018, with all 7 weirs to be completed by the end of October 2019.