Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Tourism set for a boost with bid to restore weir
ACHERISHED part of Somerset’s medieval and industrial heritage could be fully restored to preserve it for future generations.
The Dulverton weir and leat, in Exmoor National Park, dates back to the mid-14th century and powered mills for hundreds of years.
The watercourse, which runs through the town centre, was badly damaged by flooding in 2012, and temporary repairs were carried out.
Somerset West and Taunton Council is now working with the Somerset Rivers Authority to fund a scheme that will restore both the weir and leat to their former glory, preserving a slice of history and providing a vital boost to local tourism.
Councillor Marcus Kravis, portfolio holder for economic development, teased details of the project last week.
He said in his written report to the council: “An application has gone into the SRA for a large project to fully restore the weir and leat in 2022. Future reports will confirm the status of the application.
“Temporary works were carried out in 2020 to prevent the leat running dry (we have a statutory obligation to keep the water running).
“Generally, relations with the local trust are excellent and discussions are ongoing about the trust taking over the site once works are complete.”
The earliest historical mention of the Dulverton ‘urban watermill system’ was in a local will made in 1331.
The leat diverted water from the River Barle through the town centre to its ‘mill quarter’ (running from Town Mills to Lower Mill), powering up to six mills at any one time.
The leat and weir remained in working use until the 20th century but gradually fell into disrepair, culminating in a large breach in the weir during the floods of December 2012 and the leat running dry in 2013.
West Somerset Council carried out temporary repairs to the structure in 2013 and 2014, and the Dulverton Weir and Leat Conservation Trust was set up in 2016 to preserve the weir and leat, and to educate the public about their significance. The trust wishes to see the weir and leat both restored to their former glory, arguing that the work would create “significant contributions to the local tourism and sporting economies” as well as improving the natural environment.
Trustee Philip Hall described it as “a valuable ancient monument, which is recognised by academics as one of the best preserved medieval weir and leat systems in England”.
Somerset West and Taunton Council, which replaced West Somerset Council in April last year, carried out repairs in February to the footpath that runs along the leat between the Guildhall and the B3223 Northmoor Road.
The SRA has stated that the scheme could come before the board for provisional approval in December, with the final sign-off happening in early March next year.