A MAJOR scheme to repair sections of the footpath along the Weirs is complete following a four-year programme.

The repairs, funded by the city council to the tune of £590,000 with a £250,000 contribution from Hampshire County Council, were needed in order to remedy damage to sections of the riverbank following erosion over time.

The works saw specialist contractors Robert Nicholas brought in to repair the eroded ground and replace sections of decayed oak boards, helping to protect the bank from future erosion.

Throughout the works, care was taken to not damage the river, a designated Special Area of Conservation, with Robert Nicholas making use of a self-supporting temporary dam system to ensure as little impact as possible on the environment. 

Cllr Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, said: “Walking along the Weirs is one of the real pleasures of being a Winchester resident or visitor. As well as a stunning route into the city, it’s also a hugely important natural ecosystem. The city council is absolutely committed to managing and maintaining it for the benefit of residents, visitors and the wildlife that relies on it. 

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“I’m very grateful to Robert Nicholas and our teams here at Winchester City Council for the care with which they have approached this project. They’ve done a fantastic job and ensured the safety of the footpath and the many thousands of us who use it for many years to come.”

Cllr Lulu Bowerman, Hampshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, added: “We are pleased to have contributed funding to enable the restoration of this picturesque and well-loved part of Winchester. The scheme has repaired damaged sections of the footpath, and provided new features to minimise the impact of river erosion to the public highway in the future.”

Richard Noble, business manager at Robert Nicholas, said: “It was a privilege to work in such a beautiful environment as the River Itchen for Winchester City Council. The Itchen, being a chalk river, and designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) meant that our teams were always mindful and considerate of both the river status and the public who used the walks daily.

“Any restoration project, especially in and around water, carries various challenges and unknowns but the working relationship that we had developed with the team at Winchester meant that any challenges were easily overcome.

“We are proud of our restoration works on the river and are pleased that the public can enjoy the area for many years to come.”