WALLED OUT
Huge 40ft-high ancient castle wall collapsed outside my home & now I’M being lumped with £400k repair bill
Council says dad may have to fork out cash for fix - and traffic lights
A DAD says he's been lumped with a £400,000 repair bill after a massive 40ft-high wall collapsed outside his home.
Adam Giagnotti, 42, said he couldn't believe his eyes when the huge ancient castle wall came crashing down after weeks of heavy rain and storms.
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But what shocked the dad-of-two more is that he may have to fork out a whopping £400,000 on fixing the wall - and for temporary traffic lights.
The dad-of-two's Worcester home sits above the ancient structure, and he says the council has told him it's his responsibility to repair.
Plus, Adam said his insurance told him that the wall sits outside his property, they won't cover the costs.
The restaurant owner said: "That [£400,000] is the figure. The council has not taken responsibility. They have been useless.
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"They are charging me for everything, including the traffic light system. I'm on my own really. It's not great.
"The council should take responsibility at least for clearing it up and making it safe.
"We have the correct insurance but they're refusing to pay because they say the wall was inadequate."
Adam said when he bought his home for £216,000 nine years ago surveyors said it was "adequate".
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He continued: "The council said it's our wall, it's on our deeds. But the wall pre-dates the house by 150 years.
"We've been given quotes of £400,000 for rebuilding, clearing debris and the traffic light system.
"We don't actually know the figure of the traffic light system, figures have been thrown out between £2,000 and £5,000."
The dad-of-two said the wall was going to "destroy" his family home, adding: "It's a terrible position to find ourselves in and we had no idea when we bought the house."
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council 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."
The Sun has contacted the council for further comment.
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The Ombudsman usually only considers your complaint once it’s been through your local council’s complaints procedure.
Local Government Ombudsman
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