WORK to repair the Poultry Cross in Salisbury which was damaged after a car crashed into it may not be completed until early 2023.

Cllr Brian Dalton asked for an update from Salisbury City Council regarding the damage to the ancient monument and the time frame for repair works.

A vehicle crashed into the Poultry Cross during the early hours of May 21.

A response from the council read out during a meeting on Monday said that due to the “serious nature” of the damage the council arranged for a structural engineer to attend the site who “deemed the monument unsafe” and as a result scaffolding was put in place.

The meeting heard that as the Poultry Cross is classed as an ancient monument the council is required to liaise with Historic England on the restoration.

“Before any work starts we will need to get a scheduled monument consent form from Historic England. This application was submitted on Tuesday, June 21. This can take up to four weeks," the statement added.

“It is the expectation that the work will not be concluded until the beginning of 2023,” added the council response.

The council has also enlisted Salisbury Cathedral stonemasons team to conduct the restoration.

It is also looking to put in a claim for damages ahead of the defendant’s sentencing next month.

Brandon Gamblin, 20, of Church Street in Southampton, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for police and criminal damage in Salisbury. He is due to be sentenced on July 11.

 

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