Seaside town's Victorian clock tower has become 'unsafe'

Weston-super-Mare's town hall clock tower is set for repairs after being deemed 'unsafe'. "Structural strengthening" is in the pipeline to secure the internal route up to the clock faces, which currently involves navigating a series of rickety wooden ladders.

The Victorian structure, a prominent feature above the older section of the town hall, has four faces that have kept watch over Weston-super-Mare for years. However, any upkeep of the clock's mechanism requires a precarious ascent, prompting safety warnings from structural engineers.

In March last year, specialists from DHD Structures undertook a cautious inspection of the tower. Their verdict was clear: "We understand that the current access to the upper clock level is considered unsafe, and having visited the tower we agree."

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The engineers highlighted concerns including: "Water ingress has caused some decay to timber built into the solid masonry walls, [and] floor boards span significantly more than is typically allowed over an infilled maintenance access void."

North Somerset Council has now laid out plans to refurbish the floors and swap the old wooden ladders for new metal ones. Additionally, the door leading to the roof from the tower will be renovated, reports Somerset Live.

Given the Grade II listing of the building, the council has had to seek listed building consent from itself for the proposed works. The application assures that "All works proposed are internal and there will be no change to the external design, appearance scale or layout of the clock tower."

The statement read: "The proposed structural changes are required to ensure the clock mechanisms and working gear can be accessed by servicing and maintenance technicians in a safe environment."

Another clock tower on the opposite side of town is also due for repairs. Plans include the restoration of the four clock faces on Birnbeck Pier's clock tower, with a planning application recently submitted to North Somerset Council.

Details of the town hall clock tower plans are available for public viewing and comment via the council website.