Arrowhead Road, Theale – River Weir Decommissioning
What is happening?
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION NOT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Regulation 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Land Drainage Improvement Works (Amended) Regulations 1999 SI 1999/1783
Theale Gauging Station Decommissioning
The Environment Agency gives notice that it proposes to decommission Theale Gauging Station and Weir on the River Kennet near Arrowhead Road, Theale, West Berkshire (NGR SU 64959 70828). The proposed improvement works will involve the removal of the weir and all associated infrastructure, and the subsequent naturalisation of bed and banks.
The Environment Agency considers that the improvement works are not likely to have significant effects on the environment and does not intend to prepare an environmental statement in respect of them. The works are limited to a small geographical area of existing hardstanding, and an existing structure within the watercourse. The works seek to improve the ecological and structural integrity of the River Kennet at Theale. By removing a redundant structure, fish passage will be enhanced within a valuable chalk stream habitat. The riverbanks will be restored to a more natural state with bank protection. There are no statutory designated sites within proximity to this site, and there will be no impacts to nearby Local Wildlife Sites.
The works will be timed to avoid coarse fish spawning season. Silt and sediment movement will be limited by pumping water out of the work area through a silt buster before returning to the river. Silt curtains will be used if necessary. Ecological surveys have been conducted at the site, and it has been concluded that there will be no impacts to protected species. Ecological supervision will be provided during the works.
An Environmental Risk Assessment and Environmental Action Plan have been produced for the works and can be requested by email from the Project Manager. Any person wishing to make representations in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works should do so, in writing, to the address specified below, within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice.
Phil Hill, Phil.hill@environment-agency.gov.uk,
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF
Open to feedback
From
11-Sept-2025
To
11-Oct-2025
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