£50,000 to repair Sheffield library wall which collapsed months after being repaired

A retaining wall in the grounds of Broomhill Library had a structural inspection in 2017 and a 20-metre section was repaired and re-pointed in 2018.

However, just eight months later, parts of the wall collapsed into the library garden.

Sheffield Council will now spend £54,000 rebuilding it.

Officers say subsequent investigations by structural engineers and a CCTV drainage survey of both the library and adjacent nursing home site identified the probable causes of the collapse.

In a report officers say: “At present, the collapsed wall area is secured by fencing, but this is only a temporary solution.

“We need to rebuild the collapsed section of the library garden wall, increase the structural integrity of the rebuilt section with new foundations and protect the historical stone features attached to the wall.

“Rebuilding it will improve the stability of the wall. Broomhill Library garden is of local historical significance and an active Friends Group is bidding for money to renovate the garden.

“The bids are likely to be negatively affected if the wall is not rebuilt.”

The volunteer-led library was hoping to restore the garden but the plans were delayed by the wall collapse.

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