Planned Ludlow town wall talks are put on hold again
Fresh talks over who is responsible for repairing a town's collapsed walls have again been put on hold while a fresh geophysical survey is carried out.
A section of historic wall in Ludlow, which borders the graveyard of the Church of St Laurence, fell down in February 2013, but two years later remains in a collapsed state.
Representatives of St Laurence's Parochial Church Council (PCC), Shropshire Council and Ludlow Town Council were expected to go head-to-head on Friday to discuss who is legally responsible for repairing the ancient walls on Upper Linney.
It has been revealed further talks have now been put off until September as a survey of the churchyard is completed. Church leaders say the collapse of the walls may have a knock-on effect and create "structural issues" for the 3,000 tonne medieval church tower.
Shaun Ward, clerk of works at St Laurence's Church, said: "The historic environment department of Shropshire Council has arranged for specialist geophysical survey contractors to attend site in July, to carry out a full investigation into the collapse and to provide advice on repair and protection of the historic site of St Laurence's Church.
"Shropshire Council, Ludlow Town Council and the Rector and Parochial Church Council of St Laurence's, are working together to achieve the desired outcome of restitution of the collapsed wall and preservation of the ancient walls of Ludlow.
"In light of the investigations, all parties and their legal representatives have agreed to postpone their meeting until September to allow for the investigations to be carried out and the report received to assist in reaching an agreed plan for repair and maintenance.
"All the people concerned remain keen and focused on bringing this matter to a successful conclusion."
Both the church and Ludlow Town Council deny responsibility for rebuilding the walls, which are on English Heritage's at-risk register.
As the graveyard has been closed since the 1860s, the PCC maintains liability for the walls should have passed to the local authorities.
Shropshire Council has bolstered and covered the site, but not rebuilt it as the the dispute continues.
