Sowerby Bridge News

Council Acts To Protect The Public

A survey of a privately owned former mill chimney in Sowerby Bridge has revealed that the crown of the 135 foot chimney is in danger of falling down.

The survey carried out by specialist stone technicians ‘Stone Technical Services’, on behalf of Calderdale Council, has revealed that as well as the crown of the chimney being unsafe some of the brick work and metal strengthening bands have become loose.

Building Control Manager for Calderdale Council, Mike Terry said:

“As soon as we received the report on the condition of the chimney we instructed a team of scaffolders to put scaffolding up the whole length of the chimney to make it safe.

Public safety is paramount and we have had to take decisive action in order to ensure that people in the area aren’t in any danger.”

Businesses and a resident living near to the chimney have already been advised that the chimney is unstable and that it is unsafe for them to remain in their properties. Arrangements are being made to provide alternative accommodation for those people affected while the scaffolding work takes place.

The sheer size and shape of the chimney means that the scaffolding work could take up to four weeks to complete.

“We are keen to track down the owner of the chimney, Mr Adrian Hulme, so that we can discuss ways of ensuring the chimney is kept safe in the future”; said Mike Terry.

“Once the scaffolding work is complete we will be able to undertake a more detailed survey of the chimney and will look at what needs to be done to ensure the chimney poses no risk to the public.”

The canal towpath adjacent to the chimney is currently closed to the public and the Council have asked British Waterways that it remains closed until the scaffolding work is finished.