Debate about whether or not the River Wye, currently buried under concrete in parts of High Wycombe town centre, should be brought back to the surface have been going on for years. But the Bucks Free Press is today launching a poll to get the opinions of readers once and for all. Bringing the important chalk stream back to the surface after it was buried years ago had got the thumbs up from organisations like the High Wycombe Society and Revive the Wye and many readers. However, despite a convincing case worked on by Cllr Hugh McCarthy dating back to 2017, the plans were shelved by the then-Wycombe District Council back in October 2019 because of the costs - although they admitted the plan had widespread support.
RENEWED calls to see a historic river brought back to the surface in Wycombe town centre have prompted top politicians to say they too share that ambition, but that funding is key.
Buckinghamshire Council leader Cllr Martin Tett and cabinet member for town centre regeneration Cllr Steve Bowles backed reopening the River Wye during a recent debate – but added there are first cost and logistical factors to be considered. The issue was prompted by Cllr Ron Gaffney during a council meeting, who asked if the budget included funding to reopen the important chalk stream. Bringing the river back to the surface after it was buried under concrete in the town centre years ago has been a huge topic of discussion for years.