AN UPDATE on the damaged 17th-century Poultry Cross restoration work in the city centre has been given today.  

The only remaining market cross in the city centre of four such monuments, it is of historical importance.

A Salisbury City Council spokesperson has confirmed: "The work is expected to be completed by next Spring. After factoring in the cost of scaffolding, structural engineers, and repairs, costs should be circa £75k - £85k.

"This cost will be covered by insurers."

The historical monument was damaged when a car crashed into it during a police chase earlier this year. Damage was sustained to one of the supporting buttresses although these were added later to the monument - in the early part of the 1850s.

Wiltshire Police stated the driver of an Audi A3 had failed to stop for officers and the car had collided with the Poultry Cross on Butcher Row following a short pursuit.  

The man was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for the police, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol and criminal damage.

Read more: Historic England approves Poultry Cross restoration

Brandon Luke Gamblin, 20, of Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, received a concurrent jail sentence of eight months and this was suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from driving for three years with his interim disqualification taken into account.

He also received a fine and rehabilitation activity. 

In September, Salisbury City Council were waiting to have the "go-ahead" for the repair works to begin. They had to liaise with Heritage England and wait for the structural engineer, contractors, and Clerk of Works at Salisbury Cathedral to ensure the safety of the structure prior to work beginning. 

Scaffolding was erected around the monument after a structural engineer deemed it unsafe which still remains.

In early October, Historic England gave Salisbury City Council the go-ahead to start the restoration work.  

Stone Masons from Salisbury Cathedral had to dismantle and rebuild the South Buttress and individual stones had to be recorded and re-used in the rebuild if not damaged, also, a traditional lime mortar and heritage lime gravity-poured grout throughout.