Has time caught up with Welshpool clock tower?
Drone footage has revealed the extent of the weather damage to the iconic building, and last night councillors conceded that there could be some difficult decisions ahead as one said “this is going to be hugely expensive”.
Earlier this month, Town Council Operations Manager, Paul McGrath, reported that a large piece of masonry had fallen from the tower, but luckily it landed on a ledge and not on a street.
An urgent survey was called for, and at last night’s Property and Services Committee meeting, he reported back following an initial drone survey.
“It’s worse than we thought,” he said, whilst talking councillors through a power point of pictures showing a number of problems. “As you can see there is severe damage from the weather. We need to decide a way forward, urgently.”
Cllr Nick Howells, himself a health and safety expert and Chair of the committee, said he was “shocked”.
Temporary Town Clerk, Vanessa Voysey, explained to councillors that she had spoken to their insurers who said it could not be claimed against because it was general wear and tear over time.
But she also warned councillors that as they were aware of it, and if they didn’t take any action, they could be criminally negligent if something happened.
Councillors were in agreement with Cllr Billy Spencer’s suggestion that the building should be made safe in the short term, whilst a long-term solution, and budget, is sorted.
Mr McGrath will speak with specialists as a matter of urgency, and it wasn't ruled out fencing off the area around the Town Hall in the meantime.
Meanwhile, he also noted that the clock was not working despite being serviced just three weeks ago.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with it, so have contacted the company who serviced it,” he said. “They will be back on July 29 to take a look.”
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