‘Move out’ plea to more living near unsafe wall
20FT-HIGH STRUCTURE FEARED TO BE AT RISK OF COLLAPSE
NINE more people have been asked to leave their homes over fears a retaining wall could collapse.
Four people were initially evacuated from their homes in Halstead Street, Leicester, because of concerns poor weather could cause a 6m-high (20ft) retaining wall to collapse.
On Wednesday, more residents were asked to vacate their properties while work on the wall – which is believed to be over 100 years old – takes place.
John Leach, Leicester City Council’s director of neighbourhood and environmental services, said: “We’ve had a team of experienced emergency management officers out talking to residents to tell them what we need to do to protect their homes and keep them safe.
“We’re asking people to stay out of their homes during working hours on four days specified, and we’ve offered support where it is required.”
The first four people who were evacuated were closest to the area of most concern and have moved into alternative accommodation.
The further nine have been asked to leave while a large crane is in use above the properties to access the wall. It will be used to clear shrubs and trees that are growing up and across the top of the wall, to allow structural engineers to get a better look at the structure.
A monitoring station will be installed so engineers can keep a close eye on the wall 24 hours a day and pick up on any sudden changes.
Work is already taking place at the rear of the properties.
Mr Leach said: “We have also given an update to the families who have already left their homes, and assigned a dedicated residents’ liaison officer to support them and the other affected residents of the street.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause, but keeping people safe has to be our top priority.”
The city council said it is trying to establish which properties have responsibility for maintaining the wall, but is using its building control emergency powers to take action now to make it safe.
A spokesman said: “The council is waiting for an updated assessment from the structural engineers it is working with, after which the next steps will be shared with residents and property owners.”