BRADFORD on Avon Town Council has been asked to take full liability for emergency repair work on Avoncliff Weir.

The Wiltshire Times has been told the owner of Weavers Mill, Susan Lee, and her partner Tony Cunningham, have requested the council sign an agreement to accept full liability for any work to shore up the crumbling stonework of the weir on the River Avon.

This means that if the temporary repairs fail, or the weir is damaged during the works, the council could be fully liable.

Tom Oliva, of Avoncliff North Mill Project, said: “This really is quite a step to take.”

The weir is privately owned by Susan Lee, of Weaver’s Mill on the south bank, and Steve and Ewan Earl, the owners of the North Mill opposite.

The council has appointed Mark Lovell Design Engineers, of Devizes, to design a scheme to temporarily repair the hole in the south side of the weir - work which is needed before winter.

The firm acted for Miss Lee when she submitted an application for a hydro-electric generating scheme on the weir.

In a response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the council said: “Insurance will be in place for the completion of the works. The project is a community project; the council will be insuring its volunteers under its employer liability insurance and the community groups involved will be under their employers’ liability insurance.

“The design engineer carries professional indemnity insurance up to £5 million.

“The town council is not insuring against the risk of a failure of the weir while the work is undertaken, as it does not own the structure, and the works are being completed with the consent of the insured landholder.”

A community group is trying to raise £20,000 to complete the emergency repair works during the summer before river levels rise in the winter.

Most of the funds are being raised from private donations and grants from

organisations.

At its full council meeting on July 7, the town council

agreed to set aside up to £3,000 towards the project and agreed to provide officer support and logistical

support.

It is understood that Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust is also willing to make a significant grant towards the cost of repairs.