River Wensum and Yare repairs may cost hundreds of millions in Norwich
Councillors warn restoration could take up to 30 years
Norwich's River Wensum and Yare are facing extensive repair challenges, with councillors estimating costs in the hundreds of millions of pounds for restoration efforts that could last up to 30 years.
The rivers, impacted by sewage spills, toxic road runoff, and significantly low flows, saw increased concern after a summer of environmental chaos.
A special scrutiny meeting at Blackfriars' Hall gathered local councillors, campaigners, conservation groups, and the public to discuss the rivers' dire conditions.
Gary Champion, a Green Party councillor, highlighted the outdated nature of Norwich's Victorian sewer network, which overflows into the rivers during heavy rainfall, causing pollution.
Anglian Water reported that flow levels in the Wensum were among the lowest on record for the time of year.
Despite the urgent need for intervention, investment plans to alleviate strain on the city's sewers remain absent.
The council is creating its first rivers strategy covering both the Wensum and the Yare, aiming to assign responsibilities and outline potential funding mechanisms.