£60,000 bill to remove river weir

THE removal of a river weir to help with drainage problems at Churchill Playing Fields could cost £60,000.

Parish Councillor Ken Hulme asked cabinet members why steps were not being taken to remove the weir in the River Tame in a bid to lower the river level and stop flooding on the field where the Saddleworth Olympics and other sporting events are held every year.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said that a survey by the Environment Agency would cost £20,000 and then the actual removal would cost a further £40,000.

Mr Hulme said he felt steps to investigate the removal of the weir were being held up by local councillors who say the weir makes up part of Saddleworth’s historical heritage and should be preserved at all costs.

Councillor McCann said these were grossly exaggerated claims and that investigations into the drainage of the well-used field were ongoing.