Published: 14 February, 2014
By PAVAN AMARA

THE Town Hall ignored warnings about a wall that collapsed into people’s gardens during high winds – so should get its chequebook out and replace it brick by brick.

This is the warning from residents in Holmdale Road, West Hampstead, who say they will not accept a fence being put up instead.

The 12-foot wall backing on to the Mill Lane open space came down last Saturday during bad weather.

Sixteen of the residents who live in properties backing onto the wall say its collapse has  “compromised the security, privacy, and indeed value of our properties”, and have signed a letter asking to be fully compensated for loss and damage. 

Dan Roman, who drafted the letter and encouraged residents to sign it, said: “The Fire Brigade said there were a few tonnes of bricks in my garden. I have two toddlers who have a play area where the bricks fell.

“Over the years we have often sat underneath that wall with guests and thought: ‘Blimey, that wall has got quite a lean on it.’ The council kept fobbing us off and they  allowed it to remain. 

“I begged them to repair it because this wall backs onto a school playground and a public park, and so children play around it all day, including my own sons. It’s a miracle no one was killed. There needs to be an open and honest inquiry into what happened.”

Mr Roman, who has lived in Holmdale Road for three years, said council comments that they were “about to repair the wall” were “completely unsatisfactory”.

He added: “After it happened they said they were just about to do something, but it’s not as if they had just found out about it. They had known for years and had not done anything for all that time. If a local authority is not taking an imminent threat to life seriously, then there is something wrong. Tonnes of bricks could have fallen on small children, and that doesn’t even bear thinking about.”

Mr Roman said he estimated “many thousands of pounds” worth of damage to his garden furniture, planters, plants, lighting equipment, and raised flower beds.

Jackie Charlton, who has lived in the road for over three decades, said the wall was about 100 years old. 

She said a “lack of foundations, very wet weather, and high winds” had caused its collapse. 

She added: “It was a shock. It was certainly noisy, but it could have injured or killed someone and that’s quite frightening. We want to know why it was left to collapse like it did, and it must be properly replaced. It’s not as if they found out this was a problem the other month – they have known for years that this was putting lives at risk.”

A Camden Council spokeswoman said: “Work to partially re-build and replace the wall had been about to start before it collapsed and we sought permission for access to private gardens from 16 homeowners whose gardens back onto the wall. 

“The site has been made safe, the reasons for the collapse are being established. We are proceeding with plans to replace it and talking to all parties concerned.”