The future of the iconic street ponds that flow alongside the road through the heart of the lower part of Chilcompton is under consideration.

The issue has arisen because some of the pond sluices need repairing or replacing. The Parish Council has decided against a formal consultation process and a public meeting, but it still wishes to hear the views and comments of local residents about how the river should be managed.

Over time, the ponds fill up with silt brought down by the water. In the past, this build-up was prevented or managed by routine de-silting, which involved raising the sluice gates, allowing the ponds to empty and wash the build-up of silt downstream. However, this has not happened consistently across all four ponds for some years and more recently, the unwanted silt has been removed using mechanical diggers to excavate the silt and then transport it away.

The top pond was cleared last autumn at the cost of £2,500.

Four options for the management of the river have been drawn up by Parish Councillor, David Thwaites. The first possibility is to remove the weirs completely and landscape the bed so the river flows naturally within the walls, rather like it does through Midsomer Norton High Street.

The second option is to allow the ponds to naturally fill up with silt and slowly turn back into a more normal river at about the same height, in relation to the road, as at present.

The third would be to de-silt the ponds, then start a routine management programme where the sluice gates are opened once or twice a year to allow any build-up to flow downstream.

The final option would be to deal with the ponds in an ad hoc manner; managing and de-silting a pond only when it becomes too untidy.

Cllr Thwaites said: "There are no easy choices. The first two options are the cheapest, but would take away that unique, historic, important image of Chilcompton."

Pete Sinclair, who lives alongside the river, said: "After protecting the wildlife habitat, the most significant consideration is the 'look'.  Image-wise, the ponds represent Chilcompton. It's a very beautiful part of the village, enjoyed regularly by kingfishers, dippers and moorhens. Without significant and ongoing investment of funds, time and effort, the ponds could quickly become a derelict eyesore."

Comments should be sent to [email protected]">[email protected] before the end of March. For more details, contact [email protected]">[email protected]