Bridgnorth Cliff railway owner 'yet to sign for wall repair work as costs rise'

While Bridgnorth Town Council announced it had finished initial repairs to the wall in April, they said at the end of May that a new raft of repairs further along the wall needed to be carried out to ensure its safety and before the railway could open.

The work, which is set to take around six weeks to complete, has not yet stared.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Bridgnorth Town Council said it has still not had approval from Malvern Tipping, owner of the Cliff Railway, to begin the extended works.

The statement read: "Bridgnorth Town Council is continuing to work with its technical specialists and legal representatives to obtain the signed documentation to proceed and continue with the remedial works on the retaining wall at the Funicular Railway in Bridgnorth.

"The Town Council has been contacted by members of the public and businesses of Bridgnorth enquiring about the start date for the remedial works.

"It is a priority for the Town Council to ensure the work is complete and priority has always been to ensure the safety of everyone, this includes ensuring that all parties are notified, and the required legal documentation is in place for this challenging and complex project.

"The erection of the additional scaffolding is now complete, and the main contractor is awaiting instructions from the Town Council to commence the next phase of the remedial works.

"The Town Council authorised this work by resolution at the adjourned Town Council meeting held on May 23, 2023, reserving their position relating to the legal matters.

"Signed legal documents from the operator of the Cliff Railway – The Bridgnorth Castle Hill Railway Company Ltd, are still awaited and work cannot progress until these signed documents are in the possession of the Town Council."

Mr Tipping said the documents that were needed to be signed were in the hands of his insurers.

He said: "The matter was therefore referred to out insurer’s solicitor. Once we have received his advice, we shall know how to proceed.

"Last week, we spoke to the Town Council’s party wall surveyor, who advised that he had exchanged emails with our insurer’s solicitor. Once we have been advised what approach to take, we will proceed accordingly."

Meanwhile, the cost of repairing the damaged wall continues to mount up.

In April it was revealed that Bridgnorth Town Council had paid £72,000 to Telford-based Garvey Developments who are repairing the damaged wall.

According to the town council's accounts, a further £82,000 was sent to Garvey developments in May and an additional £41,500 in June, taking the total so far to more than £195,000.

Who is liable to pay the bill for fixing the wall has not yet been revealed.