Boating lake closed due to collapsed weir

Repairs to Middle Mill weir, which collapsed in 2023, began this week

A lake in a city park has been closed off because of the impact on water levels caused by the collapse of a weir nearly 17 months ago.

Colchester City Council decided to shut the boating lake earlier because of disruption to water flow from the Middle Mill weir.

The weir collapsed in December 2023.

Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Goss, portfolio holder for waste, neighbourhoods and leisure, said it was not a decision "we've taken lightly" given the attraction's popularity.

Sand bags were put in place after the collapse of the weir to slow down more erosion

Permanent low-height barriers are due to be installed in the coming days, the council says, and temporary fencing near the drainage area has already been installed.

The lake was usually topped up using water from the weir, but that was no longer possible - the council added.

A spokesperson said that manually adding water to the lake was "financially unjustifiable" because it would "quickly drain away".

Goss added: "The safety of our residents and visitors must always come first.

"With the collapse of the weir and the resulting impact on water levels, keeping the lake topped up is simply not feasible."

Work to repair the weir started this week and is expected to be completed in August.