A MAJOR project to drastically improve safety on the River Arrow through Redditch has been given the green light.
The £440,000 project will see the removal of five weirs which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) say pose a significant safety risk.
These are the weirs at New Meadow, Broad Ground Road by Arrow Valley Lake, Five Tunnels – where Redditch teenager Richard Fellows tragically drowned in March 2014 – Papermill Weir and Abbeydale Weir, both near Abbeydale.
The work will be the final piece in ten key recommendations proposed by RoSPA and already introduced by Redditch borough Council.
Speaking of the death of Richard, Councillor Brandon Clayton, (Con, Astwood Bank and Feckenham) portfolio holder for the environment, told the borough’s executive committee on Tuesday night: “It’s the responsibility of this council to do this work because we cannot allow this to happen again.”
Councillors had been asked to approve an additional £35,000 to add to the £180,000 already committed so the work could go ahead, with 40 per cent of the remaining money coming from a European Union grant.
Members heard that when the new town was designed the course of the Arrow was straightened and weirs introduced to control and slow the flow of water.
However this had the effect of sending currents circulating back to the foot of the weirs.
Under RoSPA’s recommendations these will now be removed, the depth of the water reduced and the river bed altered to slow it down.
The Arrow’s banks will be altered to provide a gentler slope and their height reduced or removed to discourage jumping in the river.
Members also heard that removing the weirs would also help fish navigate the river and boost waterside wildlife.
Despite this Coun Bill Hartnett (Lab, Church Hill) warned: “We still need to talk regularly in schools about the dangers of open water because it is very attractive for young people and we must not rest on our laurels on this.”
The measures were unanimously approved.
