Community calls on council to ‘bring on the wall’ after Storm Darragh collapse

Children’s safety is being put at risk because of council inaction to replace a fallen wall at a well-used community hall, it has been claimed.

For the past six months users of Pwllypant Village Hall and motorists along the A468/9 Caerphilly bypass have grown used to the sight of fallen bricks since the wall partially collapsed during December’s Storm Darragh.

While council workers have erected safety fencing, very little else has been done to secure the space between the hall’s car park and the busy road.

Frustration has now grown to the point where the voluntary committee running the hall and a local councillor have contacted Caerphilly Observer in the hope that something might be done.

It is understood that part of the delay in getting work started was Caerphilly County Borough Council’s reluctance to accept the wall was theirs – until it was pointed out the wall predates the hall and was originally built as part of the bypass.

Committee member Iris Moss told Caerphilly Observer that she feared for the safety of children and parents who regularly use the hall.

She said: “If anything were to happen it would be on the council – they have had enough warnings from us about the safety issues. No-one seems to care.

“Fair play to [Llanbradach councillor] Colin Mann, he’s always around but he’s said they are not moving quickly enough.”

With many parents attending the hall for various groups, there are worries that a child might wander near the gap and onto the road. With the lighter summer nights now here, the outside space can no longer be used either for outdoor play activities – as has been the case previously.

Cllr Mann, who represents Plaid Cymru on the council, said he couldn’t understand why there was a delay in repairing or replacing the stricken wall.

He said: “I have been emailing [highways] considerably but have had no reply. It’s ridiculous – someone could build a wall in a couple of days.”

After being contacted by Caerphilly Observer, Caerphilly County Borough Council said a contractor has now been engaged to undertake the works, which will begin as soon as costs are agreed.