Concerns raised over Ludlow Town Walls fix

New buttresses put in place to hold up what remains of a collapsed section of wall on Upper Linney have not been built high enough, said Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow north.

He fears this will lead to further cracking.

With full rebuilding work not likely to start for another two years, Shropshire Council workmen last week set about shoring up the damaged section.

But in carrying out the work on the walls behind the Church of St Laurence, the plans were changed from what was recommended by council consultants in June, Councillor Boddington said.

"I'm not satisfied," he added.

"The buttress built of builder's bags is not high enough to protect the wall.

"The wall is cracking above where the buttress is.

"If we get a bad winter there is a danger the graveyard will shift and more of the wall will fall.

"I am really angry. It's only a small amount of work we need to do to get it right that will make a big difference."

The site has been the subject of a wrangle between Shropshire Council, Ludlow Town Council and St Laurence's Church, whose graveyard it borders, over who is responsible for rebuilding the walls after the collapse in February last year.

Both the town council and church bosses deny any responsibility for the walls, which are on English Heritage's at-risk register.

Shropshire Council agreed to carry out temporary works.

Shropshire Council was unavailable for comment today.

Councillor Boddington said: "The wall will remain vulnerable unless the height of the buttress is increased as recommended by Shropshire Council's consultants in this report back in June."

He said with the walls not expected to be rebuilt for another two winters, the temporary works put in place now had to last.

"I can't see the works will start next summer without something short of a minor miracle.

"The work has to be done in summer as lime mortar won't set when its cold, below about four degrees," he said.