Overview

Updated on: 6 July 2022

Welcome to the Mereway project information webpage. Please click the link below to FAQs at the bottom of the page.

FAQs

What is currently happening?

We are currently constructing the Mereway Fish Pass following planning permission and setting up the site.

This will sit between the Duke of Northumberland's River and the River Crane next to the recently refurbished Mereway Weir, in Mereway Nature Reserve. Please see the map below for reference.

As construction continues there may be heavier weekday traffic of construction vehicles until the end of July. We expect construction to continue until early September 2022, with work throughout the summer to be lighter.

Below are some images of the progress of the fish pass construction:

Above Left: View from Duke of Northumberland's River and Right: View from River Crane

Overview

We have replaced the weir on the River Crane located at the end of Mereway Road. Please see the location on the map below. The previous weir was at the end of its 30 year lifespan and it and its mechanisms had to be replaced.

Above: Location of Mereway Weir and picture of the updated structure

Alongside the completed weir replacement, we are constructing a fish pass, connecting the Duke of Northumberland River and the River Crane. This will allow fish to access parts of the River Crane that have previously been limited or not available. This will attract further wildlife and create greater biodiversity in the surrounding areas. Please see the landscape design below. Planning permission has been approved for this with the formal information available on the Richmond Borough website here.

Who have we involved in our planning?

• Richmond Borough Council
• Friends of the River Crane (FORCE)
• Friends of Kneller Gardens
• Crane Valley Partnership

FAQs

What is Mereway Weir? Mereway Weir is an automatic tilting weir on the River Crane, designed to maintain flows for the Duke of Northumberland's River and the River Crane.

What does it do? It keeps a steady flow into the River Crane and into the Duke of Northumberland and is a key flood defence asset for the Twickenham area.

Why has the weir been replaced? The previous weir was at the end of its lifespan, including the parts that operate it. A new weir and operating systems have been installed.

Who are the Environment Agency working with? We are working with Richmond Borough Council, Friends of the River Crane, Crane Valley Partnership and Friends of Kneller Gardens.

Why is a fish pass needed? A fish pass is beneficial as the weir currently acts as a barrier to migrating fish from the Crane and Duke of Northumberland.

How will this benefit me? The weir protects over 500 residential properties from a high risk flood event. The weir continues this protection. The fish pass will act as a small channel, linking the Duke of Northumberland and the River Crane, increasing the amount of fish seen upstream.

Will I still be able to walk through Mereway Nature Reserve during the fish pass works? Yes, walking routes and throughfare will still be accessible in the nature reserve with diversion signs in place.

Will I still be able to drive through the nature reserve during the works? Yes, if there are any restrictions, these will be hours at a time rather than full days.

What trees will be removed? Some trees in the fish pass footprint and working area have been removed. We will be planting new trees, shrubs and creating a meadow area once the fish pass construction is completed.

How will we be notified about the works? Information will be available on this webpage so please check every so often. Other forms of communication are also planned:

• Update letter drops for surrounding residents
• Further posters around Mereway Nature Reserve
• Social media

Contact Us

If you have a question about the project or would like further detail please email below:

PSO-HNL@environment-agency.gov.uk