Weir faces collapse without repair work - report

A survey found evidence of instability within the structure of the Kirkthorpe Weir in Wakefield

A 200-year-old weir in West Yorkshire could collapse unless strengthening work on the structure was carried out, experts warned.

Repair work required at the Grade II listed Kirkthorpe Weir in Wakefield was identified almost a decade ago but was yet to be completed, according to a report.

The structure, on the River Calder to the east of the city, helps to control the flow of water into the Aire and Calder Navigation and is jointly owned by Wakefield Council and the Canal & River Trust.

A hydropower plant was built next to the weir in 2016. A later survey revealed "further indications of scour and instability", the heritage statement said.

A weir is a small barrier, or small-scale dam, built across a stream or river to raise the water level slightly on the upstream side.

A report by the Canal & River Trust to the local authority requests permission to carry out repair work, adding it was "concerned about the stability of the weir".

The document added: "The aim of the proposed works is to re-establish the structural integrity of Kirkthorpe Weir and prevent future scouring issues.

"This intervention is of crucial importance to safeguard the Grade II listed structure in the long term as structural failure is a potential imminent risk."

Wakefield Council previously granted permission for the repairs to go ahead in 2022 but the work was not carried out.

Details of the planned work were included in a resubmitted application made after permission expired in June this year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.