Experts get ready to inspect Lord Hill statue
Conservation experts will carry out an inspection of the statue of Lord Hill on top of The Column in Shrewsbury next Wednesday, 21 November.
The inspection will be carried out by Taylor Pearce Restoration Services Ltd, who will use a cherry picker to reach the statue on top of the 133ft-tall column.
The inspection is being carried out to assess the current condition of the 17ft-tall statue, and to determine if repairs are needed, after a small piece of masonry fell from it in April.
Between 9am and 5pm on 21 November, Processional Way – which leads from The Column to the Crown Court – will be closed while the inspection is carried out, but access to Shirehall and the Court will be maintained.
Once the inspection has been carried out, a report will be prepared detailing whether repairs are to the statue are required.
Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:
“This work may cause a little inconvenience but I hope our staff and visitors to Shirehall and the courts will bear with us while the experts from Taylor Pearce are an incredible 133ft up in the air carrying out this important inspection.
“We’ve done all we can to make sure that this essential work is carried out as quickly and cheaply as possible. We’re using the same specialists as two years ago – who will be able to use their 2010 findings as a starting point, rather than beginning from scratch – and we’re using a cherry picker for one day rather than erecting scaffolding around the Column, will also save a lot of time and money.”
Hannah Fraser, Shropshire Councillor for Abbey Ward said:
“People are really concerned that Lord Hill’s statue might end up costing us a lot of money, and it’s not long since the last repairs were done. I’d be really interested to hear people’s views on what should happen to this iconic landmark.”
The overall cost of arranging and carrying out the inspection, and preparing the follow-up report, will be an estimated £20,000 maximum.
