Work to fix the botched renovation of Ledbury’s war memorial will finally get underway in June, according to the town council.
The High Street monument was restored in 2020 following a £30,000 donation from former Lancaster bomber Stuart Heaton.
But within months, cracks were appearing and green mould was visible all around the base of the memorial.
A legal dispute between Ledbury Town Council and one contractor is still ongoing, and the council has been criticised by an auditor for its handling of the project.
IAC Audit & Consultancy director Kevin Rose, who was appointed by the council to investigate its management of the project, said councillors and officers “attempted to manage a complex project on a very sensitive community asset with a total absence of qualified advice or supervision”.
He added: “This is a case study of how not to deliver such a project.”
While the fallout from the original, failed restoration continues - one councillor has called for the mayor to resign over the issue - residents will hope the new works will solve the physical problems around the monument itself.
“The works to make good the War Memorial are anticipated to commence in June 2023,” the council said in a statement.
READ MORE: Ledbury War Memorial will be repaired ASAP, says town council
“The contractor appointed to undertake the repair works is Ian Bishop Masonry of Tewkesbury and will be overseen by Caroe & Partners Architects and O’Brien Price Structural Engineers from Stroud.
“Caroe & Partners are currently working with Ian Bishop to source samples of materials to be provided to Herefordshire planning officers in accordance with the Listed Building Planning Consent and once these have all been approved the contracts will be signed and work commenced.
“During the works there will be some disruption to the walkway around the memorial area, but we are working with Ian Bishop to minimise this and hopefully avoid having to close off the walkway completely during the works.
“Further updates will be provided closer to the start date.”
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