A precarious ‘collapsing wall’ is causing concerns for neighbours over fears the entire bank could fall down and leave someone ‘badly injured’.
A community campaigner has raised concerns over the safety of a wall and bank on Lark Hill Road off London Road in Worcester.
A path is still sealed off by barriers while nearby steps are described as having been ‘in a state of disrepair for some time’.
We reported last year how a section of the wall collapsed in Lark Hill Road a few years ago but, following wet weather, the rest of the wall came down overnight between Sunday, February 18 and Monday, February 19 last year.
Clare Wratten, a member of the Green Party, says barriers have been in place at the bottom of the wall and steps for a long time, but the wall and bank are now so precarious that they appear to be on the verge of collapsing completely.
She expressed concern that if they do collapse, not only could someone be badly injured as a result, but there are also some large trees on the bank that could be dislodged and cause further serious injury or damage.
Ms Wratten said: “I have reported these issues to the city council, as I’m worried that with the weather being quite windy recently, it will catch the trees and they will bring the wall down.
“The steps are also in a hazardous condition and it won’t take much to dislodge them. They are on a useful cut-through route and really need some attention, especially as they have been in a poor state for quite a while now.”
Other residents have also highlighted to her that they are reluctant to use the pathway up the steps because of antisocial behaviour by groups hanging round the area.
She has passed their concerns on to her local policing team so that additional patrols can be carried out.
Ms Wratten said: “It’s a shame to hear that some people are nervous about using the steps and are walking past them to get home because of others hanging round and engaging in anti-social behaviour. If our neighbourhood police officers or PCSOs are able to include it on their rounds, myself and other residents would be very appreciative.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The footpath closure is in place here on the steps due to the condition of the wall.
“This wall is not Worcestershire County Council’s responsibility to maintain and South Worcestershire Building Control are in talks with the relevant landowner to take the appropriate action to make the location safe. We will keep the closure in place until we receive confirmation from building control that it’s safe to re-open.”