Roads could collapse and businesses could be put at risk if proposed Egremont river works go ahead, it has been warned.

An Egremont fisherman and builder, who warned of buildings collapsing before Mill House crumbled into the River Ehen in 2012, said Environment Agency plans to partially remove a nearby weir will have a “massive impact” on river levels.

However, the Environment Agency says the work at Ennerdale Mill, which aims to protect wildlife in the river, has been assessed by a multinational engineering firm and will have no impact on any surrounding infrastructure.

The fisherman, who does not want to be named, believes some of Egremont’s “biggest businesses” such as Reays and Brownrigg’s Coaches would be at risk.

“Weirs are just like dams and, if this goes ahead, it could cause the river levels to drop by 10 feet,” he said. “If this happens, the foundations of the roads and banks will weaken.

“They are already eroding and they will collapse into the river within six months of the work because of constant strain of the wagons and buses on the road. It is going to have a massive impact on the businesses down there because there is no other access road.”

He said the impact on the road’s foundations would be similar to the conditions which caused the Mill House collapse four years ago when water gushed into its foundations

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: “Assessment work undertaken by AECOM consultants has shown that partial removal will cause no increase to flood risk nor will it impact on any surrounding infrastructure.

“Removing redundant barriers safely and carefully is a preferred approach and will remove the risks associated in the future.”

She added: “This project in particular will help to safeguard our precious Ehen fish and freshwater mussel populations for future generations.”