Closure threat to weir
Users warned to clear up litter or risk losing beauty spot
The new landowner at a popular Bath beauty spot has threatened to close the area if people continue to leave litter.
Johnny Palmer has spoken out about increasing amounts of rubbish being left at Warleigh Weir after recently taking control of the land.
The weir, located on the River Avon, attracts visitors from all over the country and has been described as a hidden gem by a national newspaper.
It is a popular spot for open water swimming.
But, as it is on privately-owned farmland, Mr Palmer has every right to close the area - something he intends to do if people do not clean up their rubbish.
He said: “We want to make the weir available - closing really is the last scenario. But, the big block to the area remaining open is the rubbish.
“It’s getting worse and worse and causes an environmental issue.”
Mr Palmer, 35, has set up the Warleigh Weir Project, which he hopes will ensure the space is available for “generations to come”.
“We want it to be a collective thing. People won’t want to lose it,” he said.
Earlier in the year, a woman living on a boat near the weir described the behaviour of sun seekers leaving their rubbish at the spot as “horrific”.
Alex Plummer said she was shocked by the sight of the rubbish on the bank holiday weekend at the start of May, and added that the mess was “starting to smell” and “attracting vermin and birds”.
Bath and North East Somerset Council delivered a similar message to Mr Palmer and Ms Plummer last year, slamming people who had left their rubbish strewn across the weir.
The council said it was “disgusted by the attitude of some people who fail to understand that leaving behind a mess is [...] unacceptable”.