Oswestry bandstand repairs could cost thousands, councillors told

Cracks in two of the cast iron columns of the bandstand in Oswestry's Cae Glas Park have worsened during this winter as water has got inside and caused corrosion.

A repair option of filling the cracks and gradually closing them up by tightening a collar around the columns had been priced up at £1,150.

But Glenys Davies, Oswestry Town Council facilities manager, said removing the damaged sections and taking them away for repair would be a better solution. Quotes so far have for the work have ranged between £4,000 and £5,800.

Mrs Davies said: "There would be more site work with this solution, with safety fencing during the works and public access denied. The plant and equipment costs would be higher as well as the time taken to carry out the work would be considerably extended.

"But although substantially more expensive, this would be a better answer and obviate the need for monitoring and periodic tightening.

"There is no immediate danger to the public, but it is strongly recommended that the work is carried out before another winter."

The suggested work would involve propping up the roof and cutting out the damaged sections of the columns. They would then be taken away to be repaired.

Mrs Davies said it had been difficult to find companies which would be able to carry out the specialist work, but has managed to find two companies – one in Berriew near Welshpool and the other in Whittington, near Oswestry.

She said they had ruled out re-casting new column sections as she hadn't be able to find a company which could so the work and it would be too expensive.

Oswestry Town Council's amenities committee was considering the repair options at its meeting last night .

The bandstand, which stands in the centre of the park, was last repaired in 1998.

The columns originally acted as rainwater drops, but a lead roof now covers the seals over the top of the columns and water escapes from gargoyles on the corners of the roof.