Restoration
Restoration work on Calver Weir began in October 2009 when Tomlinson, the contractor arrived on site.
Offices were erected and a compound prepared for storeage and to accommodate a variety of machinery. Fences were erected around the site and along the pathways of the river bank to separate and protect walkers and visitors from machinery and workings.
Signs were erected to provide information to the general public about CWRP and the various partners involved in the restoration and well as the work involved.
Water voles, a protected species have established themselves in burrows along the river bank in various locations which were identified and marked to avoid any danger from working; where the burrows were in the immediate vicinity of restoration work, they were relocated to suitable alternative sites nearby.
In November 2009, various dams were installed to both drain and hold back water, allowing work to continue at all times, subject only to the danger of high water levels. Causeways of rock were laid on the east riverbed and a large pipe was buried beneath the surface for fish to pass. This allowed heavy plant hire vehichles direct access to most parts of the Weir structure to carry out excavation work and to transport materials and gritstone.
The first priority was the sections of the Weir in iminent danger of collapse, with the west river slope being particularly vulnerable. A new concrete foundation was cast and rebuilt using the original gritstone blockwork which had been recovered from the river bed.
Equally important and a high priority was to begin the erection of the fish pass which was funded by the Environment Agency which had to be completed by March 2010, the end of their financial year.
Despite losing several days because of severe weather conditions during the three months November to the end of January 2010, the work schedule was recovered in February 2010 and is now back on target.
The fish pass was completed ahead of schedule the first week in March 2010 and is now fully operational using counters and cameras to monitor fish movement.
Work is continuing to place new block gritstone, from the local quarry whence it originally came, over cemented areas. Specialist cement is being used to backfill the Weir crest and any exposed cavities.
In April work will begin on providing a ramp at the main entrance to the Weir on the east side, off the A625 which will allow wheel chair access.
In May the existing layby near the east side entrance will be enlarged to allow more space for wheel chairs to be off loaded from vehicles more safely.
Towards the final months of restoration work, the site will be returned to its original state. In addition, it is intended to tidy up various old and fallen tress.
No additional car parking will be provided in the immediate CWRP sites.
It is anticipated that restoration work will be completed by August 2010, on schedule.
