A Kirkby Malzeard mother has raised concerns over the safety of a church wall near a school in the village.
Part of the wall on Church Bank, which is across from Kirkby Malzeard Church of England School, collapsed in February 2020 and is awaiting reconstruction.
Lynda English, who has children aged six and three attending the primary and pre-school, raised concern over the safety of a 30 metre section of the wall which she says is in need of repair.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“During the school term, I pass close to this wall six times a day.
“In addition to the section awaiting reconstruction, there’s a large part of it in a poor condition.
“It needs a long-term solution, that fully takes into account the safety concerns of local residents.”
Mrs English, who lives on Church Bank, added:
“I am nervous going past the wall, because I saw what happened in February 2020.
“Thank heavens, the collapse that occurred 15 months ago, came during the half-term holidays.
“I shudder to think what might have happened if the stone came crashing down while children and parents were passing by.”
The 30 metre section of wall on Church Bank in Kirkby Malzeard.
Mrs English pointed out that six families living on Church Bank have children at Kirkby Malzeard CE school and added:
“I just can’t bear the thought that the lives of children are being put at risk because of this wall and the deteriorating state it is in.”
The collapsed 10 metre section of the retaining wall for the churchyard of St Andrew’s Parish Church, is awaiting reconstruction by Harrogate Borough Council (HBC).
The stone fell onto the road below causing the closure of the principal route between Kirkby Malzeard and Masham. It has remained shut ever since.
Initially, HBC planned to reconstruct the collapsed section of wall and carry out repairs to an adjoining 30-metre section.
A spokesperson for HBC, said:
“The collapsed section needs rebuilding, which we are doing.
“We will then monitor the remaining section to see if there is any movement.
“If there is further movement we will then consider options for this area of wall.
“The section of the reconstructed wall and also the remaining wall will be regularly monitored through visual inspections, particularly during inclement weather to ensure that it remains in a stable condition.”
The spokesperson said reconstruction of the collapsed section will be completed by the end of autumn. The road will then reopen.
The cost for the work has not as yet been finalised.
HBC’s handling of this issue has been met with dismay by Cllr Jane Aksut, of Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council.
She said:
“We continue to call on Harrogate Borough Council to reconsider its approach.”
Cllr Aksut, pointed out:
“Their decisions have been made against the advice of the structural engineers, who consider that monitoring will not flag up a sudden collapse.”
Read more:
- See what we reported in October about the Kirkby Malzeard church wall
- New bus service for Ripon and Masham