stone wall supporting main road fell - who is responsible to rebuild??

D

dscan

Guest
our house is around 8ft below the main road and the stone wall at the side our house between the garden and the main road fell all of a sudden yesterday. Around a 40ft stretch of the wall fell and now we are wondering what we have to do next - is it our responsibilty to rebuild this wall or would it be up to the local council. We are afraid the road will begin crumbling at the edges with heavy traffic and falling into our garden.

Any advice would be great - thanks!
 
no it literally fell yesterday evening so we are scratching our heads wondering what we need to do. we dont have the money to rebuild the wall ourselves but if its left as is - knocked down - we dont know what reprocussions it will have on the stability of the road
 
Contact the roads department as AJ has suggested. If you're concerned the road could deteriorate, then it should be assessed as a matter of urgency before the potential exists for it to become a hazard.
 
+1 per previous advice, but I would also contact your solicitor and ask them to check your title.
I would also notify your insurers about this occurrence - your contract may require it.

First, establish who owns the wall and then establish who is liable for repair.
Three may be additional issues such as whether it was affected by -

- Ground Movement

- Frost Damage

- Flooding

- Wind Loading

- Building Work

- Traffic Vibration

- Land Slippage

There may be a Health and Safety Issue.
This applies to public and the house occupants.

You may need to vacate the premises for a period.
An engineer should be called in to inspect by you or the council.

Re-routing road traffic well away from the affected zone of the collapse is indicated.
Temporary works may need to be carried out to restrain the earth to prevent any further collapses.

The engineer should inspect beyond the immediate area of the collapse and assess the condition of abutting structures urgently.
A services engineer or environmental officer should check all service runs and conduits in the vicinity to ensure integrity, especially gas, water and electricity.

ONQ.


All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.
 
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