£800,000 of riverbank repairs needed along River Cam at Jesus Green
More than £800,000 of “essential” riverbank repairs are needed along the River Cam at Jesus Green.
Cambridge City Council said it needs to replace the wall along the edge of the riverbank between the Jesus Green Lido and the Jesus Green Lock.
Originally the council had set aside £375,000 for the work, and has spent £8,000 of that so far, but new surveys have shown further costly issues.
A report to the strategy and resources scrutiny committee on 30 September said the section of the river wall between the lido and the lock had been rotating.
It has caused a gap of up to two feet wide between the wall concrete capping beam and soil bank.
Subsequent investigations, including an underwater survey, found the cause of movement on the whole 105-metre section of riverbank between the lido and the lock.
It said: “A complete new-replacement wall structure is now required in front of the existing wall for the length of defect.
“This will require an additional budget bid of £487,000, bringing the estimated total project cost across all phases up to £862,000.
“It is proposed that this is funded from unallocated general fund capital receipts.”
It described the work as “essential repairs”.
Cllr Naomi Bennett (Green, Abbey) said she was aware the work on the riverbank had “started some time ago”, but was paused as it was a protected wildlife habitat, particularly for water voles.
She asked if the planned repairs had been signed off to confirm the work would not harm water voles.
The committee chair said council officers did not have the answer to hand, but would later respond.