The owners of an historic 17th century Suffolk tide mill have provided reassurances that the mill is not about to stop working following rumours that it had become silted with sand. 

Concerns had been raised the Tide Mill next to the River Deben in Woodbridge, one of only two in the UK with an operating water wheel, would have to switch to being powered by an electric motor due to sand blocking the outflow and preventing water from leaving. 

However, the mill’s chair John Carrington said there was no imminent risk to the operation of the mill, which can still produce flour. 

He said dredging work costing £5,000-£6,000 was set to take place in April to remove the sand so water can leave after passing through the wheel. 

But Mr Carrington did add that if no dredging took place and the situation was allowed to continue unchecked then the silting would eventually affect the smooth operation of the mill and the two- or three-day spring work was a "precautionary measure". 

“We are operating normally at the moment and we have now got permission to do some dredging that will take place in the spring. 

“It is an issue that we are aware of that is not impacting at the moment, but as a precautionary measure we have got permission to do the dredging to make sure that we can continue,” he added. 

The mill operates when water fills a mill pond close by during high tide and sluice gates are then opened to allow the water in to turn the wheel. 

The potential blockage caused by the build-up of sand is to the outflow where the water leaves after passing through the wheel. 

Mr Carrington said there were sufficient funds in the mill’s budget to pay for the dredging, if necessary, although he was hoping to secure a loan. 

The earliest records of a tide mill at the site date back to 1170 and the latest structure was built in 1793, but closed in 1957. 

However, the mill was saved in 1968, restored and opened to the public in 1973.