Warleigh Weir
Warleigh Weir, Ferry Lane
Claverton Parish Council takes a proactive approach to the management of issues arising from Warleigh Weir, and welcomes any inputs on the matter from parishioners and other stakeholders. We recognise the importance of the site of Warleigh Weir to the Parish, as evidenced by the fact that the island field is included as one of the local designated Green Spaces in the Claverton Neighbourhood Plan. We also acknowledge the impacts on village life during the main swimming season and encourage parishioners to raise any specific concerns with any of the councillors.
Over the years the Parish Council has engaged positively with B&NES, Highways England, Network Rail, The Claverton Pumping Station, the police, and successive owners of Warleigh island. This has resulted, among other things, in B&NES installing litter bins by the rail crossing, the regular maintenance of the yellow lines down Ferry Lane, and the information signs at the top of Ferry Lane.
There are recognised risks in the summer due to high numbers of cars parking on the verges of the A36 obscuring sightlines, and with vehicles reversing onto the carriageway. Illegal parking on the yellow lines in Ferry Lane risks preventing emergency services access. There is the potential for a serious accident on the level crossing and there have been numerous near misses (the risks have been reduced thanks to the new lights, acoustic signals and pedestrian gates installed by Network Rail).
The Parish Council strongly supports the current owner’s initiatives to try to improve the situation at the weir. This includes promoting the ethos of “leave no trace”, not using disposable BBQs, and travelling to the site by public transport, walking or cycling. For more information see the Warleigh Weir Project website https://warleighweir.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/warleighweir/.
The Parish Council also strongly support B&NES’s parking enforcement on Ferry Lane to maintain safe and open access to emergency vehicles for the benefit of both local residents and Warleigh Weir users. We also welcome the efforts of the police to ensure safe driving conditions on the A36.
Warleigh Weir is appreciated as a beautiful Green Space within the parish and the Parish Council will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the enjoyment of Warleigh Weir is sustainable and low impact, and would welcome additional suggestions and ideas to assist in achieving/help achieve this objective.