Wall collapses onto 93-year-old's allotment after long-standing issues spanning 30 years

Ivan Beardsell says Kirklees Council is refusing to repair the wall in Holmfirth despite carrying out repairs on the same structure previously.

The collapse, on December 28 has not only left Mr Beardsell with a “nightmare” situation, but it has also turned the lives of his family upside down with his 93-year-old father’s allotment now unusable, being covered in a large pile of stones.

Mr Beardsell explained that the wall had been undermined by water flowing down South Lane which is a steep road. He added the route is not designed to hold the heavy wagons that use it with the walls unable to withstand their weight.

Sections of the wall have been repaired twice before, firstly in 1989, then again in 2005. This maintenance was carried out by Kirklees Council’s highways department who at the time admitted it was their responsibility.

In August 2021, Mr Beardsell approached the council, forewarning them that part of the drystone wall on South Lane, Holmfirth was crumbling and at risk of collapsing next to his family-run workshop.

However, this time, the council refused to act, insisting that Mr Beardsell was responsible for fixing the wall as it is on private land. This seemed contradictory considering the council had repaired two sections of the same road previously.

In 2021, senior staff said that new evidence had come to light that passes the obligation to repair – and the cost – onto the householder. This means that only the highway parapet section of the wall – above road level – belongs to the council with everything below this boundary in private ownership.

More of the wall gave way in March 2022 and a four-foot hole was discovered underneath it. This was put down to resurfacing work involving vibrating machinery as well as the effect of heavy rainfall. This ramped up locals’ fears that a collapse was imminent.

Once again, despite expressing “real sympathy,” the council denied responsibility, reiterating that they are not the party responsible for the wall’s maintenance.

Coun Donald Firth spoke of the ongoing issues with roads and the council’s lack of action. He said: “we’ve got a big problem in Holmfirth. We had a road that semi collapsed some three and a half years ago which was the responsibility of the council’s highways department, but they had already stated it was nothing to do with them which seems to be the norm now with everything that happens.

“At the end of the day, the council are not doing what we pay them to do and that is look after the highways and byways of Holme Valley South. We pay for it in council tax so there’s no reason why. I’ve checked with other highways officers who used to work for Kirklees and they all tell me that the responsibility is with the council.”

Coun Moses Crook said: “The collapse of the wall below South Lane following the recent wet weather has been a huge concern to local residents and many have already been in touch with me for information. Both Coun Paul Davies and myself have visited the site on several occasions and have been liaising closely with senior officers over the holiday period to ensure that the road is made safe and that we have up to date information to share. Councillors and officers will continue to work closely together, as well as with the adjacent land owner, to bring about an early resolution to the issue and minimise risk and inconvenience to residents.”

When asked for the council’s perspective on who was responsible for the maintenance of the wall, Coun Naheed Mather, cabinet member for environment, said: “We are aware of the partial collapse of the wall and road on South Lane, Holmfirth, and are liaising with the landowner to resolve the matter. The road however remains open and is passable by road users and pedestrians.”