Somerset West and Taunton Council faces £200,000 bill to protect wall 'in danger of collapse'
The wall running along the Mill Stream is at risk of disintegration due to vegetation growing through the stonework
A Somerset council faces a £200,000 bill to protect a wall which is “in danger of collapse” near one of the county’s main museums.
The Museum of Somerset lies within Taunton Castle and is run by the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society (SANHS).
The society contacted Somerset West and Taunton Council after it emerged that the wall running along the Mill Stream, near the museum’s northern boundary, was at risk of disintegration due to vegetation growing through the stonework.
The council has now confirmed it would cost a minimum of £150,000-200,000 to protect the wall and keep the public safe.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and transport, provided details of the project in a report published before the full council met in Taunton on Tuesday evening (February 7).
He said in his written report: “SANHS contacted us with a complaint that the wall alongside the Mill Stream, opposite the Museum entrance, is in danger of collapse, with considerable vegetation and small trees growing out of the stonework.
“The stream is between Goodlands Gardens and Northern Gardens, and the gardens around the Museum are the responsibility of the council under a lease from SANHS.
“This wall prevents the public from falling into the watercourse and provides a retaining function for the ground at higher level outside the Museum.
“We have carried out initial clearance and are now awaiting reports from both structural engineers and heritage experts before proceeding further.”
Mr Rigby said that “significant sums of money” would be needed to repair the wall, based upon the cost of similar heritage repairs carried out over the last few years.
He elaborated: “We are unable to accurately estimate costs at this time, but they are likely to be in the region of £150,000 -£200,000 at a minimum, based upon repairs to the wall at St. Andrew’s Church in Stogursey Church.
“The heritage advisor has indicated that approval for works is likely to be a lengthy process.”
The council – and its unitary successor – will carry out a structural survey on the ball, with the intention of going out to tender later in 2023.