Pre-study Vänga Mill

The area around Vänga Kvarn, one of Borås municipality's biggest tourist attractions, is currently facing several challenges. The old mill canal is starting to collapse again, the slope above the canal risks pushing rocks in and causing blockages, and the dam also constitutes an obstacle for fish and other aquatic organisms in the Säveån River. To solve these problems, the Vänga Hembygdsförening is carrying out a preliminary study in which they investigate and calculate the costs of the necessary measures. Among other things, the association will investigate the possibilities of restoring the canal, stabilizing the slope and creating a bypass that allows fish to pass past the dam. If they succeed in enabling free passage for the fish, it would strengthen the biodiversity of the Säveån River.

Ecosystem services in focus

The feasibility study focuses on how the measures can strengthen the area's ecosystem services and biodiversity. By developing proposals for how the canal can be restored, the association wants to restore the water flow and ensure that the mill can continue to produce renewable electricity. In addition, they plan to develop a plan for a bypass that can reconnect the separated trout populations above and below the dam, which benefits the biodiversity of the water system and other species. The association is also investigating how they can stabilize the slope and restore the dam wall without affecting the area's function as an important carbon sink. All of these factors will be carefully evaluated before any actual measures are implemented.

Preservation of cultural and historical values

The project is also looking at how they can preserve the area's cultural and historical values. One example of this is the old eel coffin, which they plan to preserve as a cultural and historical object. Along the Love Path, the association is also developing proposals for information signs that highlight both the biological and cultural values in the area. By informing visitors about the area's history, the association hopes to increase both understanding and commitment to the site's cultural heritage.

Purpose and goals

Through the feasibility study, Vänga Hembygdsförening produces detailed cost estimates and implementation plans for all sub-projects. They also identify suitable contractors and compile data for testing water activities. When the feasibility study is complete, the association will have a clear action plan that describes which measures they can implement, in what order they should be prioritized, and how they can finance the projects. In this way, the association ensures that the work progresses in the right direction and that they contribute to the long-term development of the area.

Cut from the application

”"The feasibility study will provide us with data and proposals to secure the cultural, historical and ecological values of Vänga Kvarn for the future."”

The board's decision justification

The project meets the criteria to a sufficient extent, and is expected to meet even more criteria on the day that implementation projects can be applied for thanks to a well-conducted feasibility study. The feasibility study is absolutely crucial for being able to control and launch a geologically and environmentally complex project with complex financing of a large investment.