Scaffolding snag delays clock tower safety work

Welshpool Town Council said it is doing everything possible and working as quickly as it can to ensure the Town Hall clock tower is made safe.

The alarm was raised this summer when masonry from the 200-year-old tower was found to be falling off, creating a health and safety headache for the town council who are responsible for the building.

A drone survey identified that urgent work was required, and the council earmarked £20,000 from its budget, but progress has been thwarted by the availability of scaffolding specialists.

“It’s not as easy as it may seem,” explained Operations Manager, Paul McGrath, at the Services and Property Committee meeting. “It is proving difficult finding scaffolders who can go that high (30m).”

Councillors were also told that it was not straight forward taking interim measures to prevent pedestrians being struck, unless the pavement was closed off.

Mr McGrath explained that he was working as quickly as he could to identify the relevant specialists that could get the preliminary work done.

“I am going as quickly as I possibly can,” he explained, adding that he hoped to have a scaffolding company on board ASAP.

In the meantime, committee chair, Cllr Nick Howells, said that he would work with Mr McGrath on a written risk assessment to prove the council was doing all that it could within its powers to make the structure safe, in case of future claims should a member of the public be struck.