Repair work at Salisbury's Poultry Cross completed

The scaffolding's been removed and the monument re-opened

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 31st Mar 2023

Work to repair Salisbury's Grade I listed Poultry Cross has been completed.

The scaffolding and fencing has been removed following six months of works, arranged by Salisbury City Council.

The effort was needed after a car hit the structure during a police pursuit in May 2022.

Expert stonemasons from Salisbury Cathedral helped to remove and rebuild the South Buttress of the Poultry Cross, used traditional lime mortar and heritage lime gravity poured grout.

The cost of the repairs as a result of the collision totalled £84,000, which is expected to be covered by Salisbury City Council's insurers.

The additional conservation works cost £30,000.

The area's been blocked by scaffolding an fencing since October 2022

The Clerk of Works at Salisbury Cathedral, Gary Price said:

“The majority of the work has been to repair the south buttress following a vehicle collision, we have also undertaken a clean and repair of other areas of stonework. We are very privileged to be working on such an iconic Salisbury monument.”

One of the Leaders of the Council, Cllr Ian Tomes said:

“It is great to see the Poultry Cross back to its original form thanks to the excellent teamwork of the skilled workforce involved. The Poultry Cross is an important historic monument in Salisbury and they did a great job fixing the damaged area for future residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The driver involved in the initial crash - Brandon Gamblin, 20 from Southampton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for police and criminal damage.

He was given 8 months detention suspended for 24 months, 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement, 100 hours unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 3 years.

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