Scaffolding both inside and outside Red House Glass Cone amid warning it could overlook homes

Nearby residents have been warned their homes could be overlooked by the scaffolding and no form of covering can be attached to the structure due to the complexity.

Work began in July on the historical building which has operated for more than 150 years, having been built in the period between 1788 and 1794, and is one of four surviving glass cones in the UK.

Bridge Street in Wordsley, Stourbridge, is set to be closed to traffic from the junction of Camp Hill to the junction of John Street, with the closure set to take place from 6am on Thursday, October 26, to 6pm on Friday, October 27 to allow a crane to operate on the Red House Glass Cone, and traffic will be diverted around the closure.

In order to provide a practical diversion route for this closure the existing one-way traffic order on Mill Street, Wordsley will be temporarily suspended., between Plant Street to a point 60m Southeast of Plant Street.

Adam Davies, ward councillor for the Audnam area of Wordsley, said: "We're so pleased to see the work progressing, and the bespoke internal scaffolding really is impressive. The cone is irreplaceable, so this 18-month restoration and improvement project is hugely important.

"It will see the cone repointed, new drainage and ventilation installed to help keep the structure dry, as well as lots of other changes to improve the site and make better use of space inside the cone - all of which will help preserve this proud icon of our area's heritage."

The improvements that will be made to the cone – which is around 100 feet high – include the internal and external re-pointing of its entire structure using authentic lime mortar.

It will also see the building made more accessible to visitors, with the internal gantry and lift inside the cone removed to create an open space.

In a statement, Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways, said: “The road will be closed from 6am to 6pm on October 26 and 27 to safely allow a crane to operate on the Red House Glass Cone site from the highway as part of our regeneration work at this important historic visitor attraction.

"Traffic will be diverted around the closure and we apologise to motorists for any inconvenience caused during this important work.”

The cone is closed whilst the works are going on, but the museum, shop, studios, cafe and community room are still open.

In a letter written to residents in the area by site manager, Michael Holder, they have been informed that external scaffolding works and restoration were due to begin on the outside of 'The Glass Cone' on Monday, October 16.

The letter goes on to explain that the works will involve the erection of a complex scaffold and the restoration of the cones external walls - which will take place over the next 40 weeks.