A SURVEY will be undertaken to examine the flood risks of rebuilding a weir on the River Swale.

The reconstruction of the weir at medieval Easby, near Richmond, is part of a £2.5m plan to create a hydroelectric power station.

A feasibility study found that the project could pay for itself within 20 years and would generate enough power for 140 homes.

The survey is required to establish the flood risk and to finalise the detailed design of the rebuilt 12th Century weir, near Easby Abbey.

Since the publication of the feasibility study, the Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative (RSVCI) group has been working with the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Forward on the project.

From today, surveyors will carry out detailed work on the river Swale between Richmond and Easby.

The study will be completed by June and should establish what would happen upstream if the weir is built.

Mike Pattison, of the RSVCI, said: "It is essential that we carry out this river modelling work to find out exactly what would happen if the weir was re-established.

"The work will give us a lot more information, and the results will tell us how we can progress to the next phase.

"It is essential that we rule out any concerns about additional risks of flooding at this early stage."

Experts estimate it will cost £2m to rebuild the weir and £500,000 for the 100kw hydroelectric plant.

Water would be channelled through a turbine to drive a generator housed in a small building on the bank.

It is believed reconstruction of the weir could also increase leisure and tourism along the river.

Boating, which took place before the weir crumbled, could be reintroduced. Canoeing, fishing and swimming are also possibilities.

The work could also help protect the riverbank repaired last year by Easby Riverside Regeneration Project workers. Organisers say the demise of the weir has caused devasating erosion of the bank over the past 40 years.

Details of the project are published at www.richmond. org.uk