Ludlow Dinham Weir needs £250,000 repairs

A historic south Shropshire weir needs urgent repairs costing £250,000 to stop it from crumbling into the River Teme, campaigners said today.

Dinham Millennium Green Trust revealed expert surveyors had found serious stonework damage beneath the water at the Castle Weir, commonly known as Dinham Weir, in Ludlow.

Paul Nicholls, chairman of the trust, which owns the weir, said: "There is considerable damage and erosion below the waterline as well as very many breaches due to crumbling stonework, cracking and tree roots.

"Since shortly after purchase of the weir from the former South Shropshire District Council we knew that some day a repair bill would loom.

"Now it has been very clearly demonstrated that we dare not risk delay."

The charitable trust today revealed it had opened negotiations with the Environment Agency and Severn Rivers Trust to gather the cash to save the weir, which it said was one of the most photographed landmarks in Ludlow.

Mr Nicholls said: "As a result of a professional survey we are in talks with groups such as the Environment Agency and the Severn Rivers Trust. All is in hand for an imminent drive to seek funding. We aim to start work in 2012."

Dinham Millennium Green Trusts hopes the weir will be repaired in time to mark the Queen's Jubilee.

Mr Nicholls added: "After all, we marked the year 2000 with the creation of the Millennium Green and also the Queen's Jubilee in 2002 with the re-opening of Dinham Mill Race. To achieve a trio of memorials would be very nice indeed."

There has been a weir at the castle site for nearly seven centuries to provide water power for the town's flour mills.