The BBC reports that historic wooden weirs on the River Thames and River Kennet may be replaced under a new flood management scheme. The Environment Agency wants to replace weirs in Northmoor, Radcot and Mapledurham in Oxfordshire, Molesey in Surrey and at Blakes Lock in BerkshireIt said mechanised weirs would be safer to use and help reduce the flood risk. Retired Oxfordshire lock keeper Colin Mullineux said these weirs were among the only intact wooden paddle and rymer weirs left in Europe.
The full report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8161717.stm
A public consultation exercise is being held until 14 August with work expected to start in summer 2010.