WORK has finally started this week on a wall which collapsed 18 months ago in Malmesbury which left questions being asked on why the repairs had taken so long. 

Residents and politicians have spoken out after repair work began at the wall which collapsed in January 2021. 

A large section of the wall on the footpath in King's Wall above The Maltings collapsed in January 2021. 

As a result, anyone wanting to use the path had been diverted via a steeper route which has has been particular inconvenient for those with pushchairs or mobility scooters.

In recent months residents have complained about the lack of progress being made on repairs but work has now finally started. 

Gavin Grant, Wiltshire Councillor for Malmesbury, shared his delight at the news.

"I'm delighted that we have finally got action to rebuild the wall at no direct cost to residents of The Maltings," he said.

“Frankly, this rebuild has taken far too long and is only happening after a real battle to get Wiltshire Council to honour their responsibilities.

“That should never have happened."

Malmesbury mayor Kim Power spoke of her gratitude towards Mr Grant for pressing Wiltshire Council to take action. 

“The whole process of getting the wall fixed has taken far too long," she said. 

"We are grateful for the continuing efforts of our Wiltshire councillor Gavin Grant to press Wiltshire Council to take action and resolve this situation for residents and the town.”

Malmesbury resident and well-known town litter picker Ben Thornbury said: “I think the wall being fixed is great.

“It has been well over a year – those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters have had to take the long way around for ages making it a longer journey.

“Lots of fellow residents are looking forward to the reopening of the path.  

"Speaking to the residents down at the Maltings they will be pleased not to see the big wire fences once all of the work has been completed.”

Another Malmesbury resident, Craig Sillars, said he could not believe how long it had taken to sort the wall out. 

“Let’s just hope a similar slope failure does not happen again elsewhere," he said. 

"If it does that there have been lessons learnt as to how to progress to a resolution to resolve the issue in a quicker and safer way.

Wiltshire Council has been approached for a comment.