Dad's fury after historic castle wall collapses - and council says he should pay for it

A homeowner may have to shell out £400,000 to fix a collapsed historic wall and pay for temporary traffic lights which the council claims is his responsibility.

Dad-of-two Adam Giagnotti has been told it's his job to pay for the old castle wall which has collapsed into the main road, making it impassable on one side.

As a result, traffic lights have been installed on the road in Worcester - and he may have to foot the bill for those, too.

Adam, a restaurant owner, says the retaining wall collapsed in a landslide the early hours of February 9 after days of rain and storms. His two young children, aged only five and seven, had been playing in a sandpit the day before it collapsed, and were now unable to play due to his fears about how hazardous it could still be.

The 42-year-old said he didn't know why he should shoulder the burden for paying for the wall and traffic light system, and that he had no idea it has originally been part of an old castle. Adam's insurers meanwhile have also shirked responsibility, saying the wall falls outside the boundary of the property.

Adam said he was now looking into why the wall was placed back into the deeds for the semi-detached home, which was bought more than nine years ago. "I understand it was originally part of a castle wall," he said.

"There is a plaque near the wall showing a castle and the brickwork is very old. I am very keen to speak to anyone with more knowledge about the background of the wall. We have done everything by the book. If we had known there was any risk we would not have bought the house."

But Worcestershire County Council said they reached to conclusion after a survey showed he bore sole responsibility for the wall. A spokeswoman for the authority said: “Our Highway Status and Extent team completed their search enquiry to confirm ownership. The conveyance on the property confirms that ownership and maintenance of the retaining wall rests with the landowner.

"We can confirm that the area was made safe following this wall collapse, and traffic management installed. There are daily costs being incurred as a result of the traffic lights at this location. On completion of the required works to the wall, we will then discuss further with the resident.”