THE long-running saga over what happened to an historic crane by the waterside in Worcester is still rumbling on.

Diglis resident Will Richards has spent more than a decade trying to restore or return the crane, which was stolen during part of the regeneration of the area back in 2008.

Despite repeated calls for the historical feature to be returned or replaced with a replica, Mr Richards said there has still been no action taken by either the Canal and Rivers Trust or Worcester City Council.

He said: "Absolutely nothing has happened.

"There has been no further communication from CRT, and they have done nothing to install any plaque or information boards.

READ MORE: Questions over what happened to replacement for Diglis crane

"Just as it was during my initial actions in this matter, so it has been since: lethargy, lack of communication, and absolutely no apology and action.

"The hope appears to be that if they simply say and do nothing, I, like the complaint, and the quayside crane, will simply disappear into the ether."

The small crane, which sat by the waterside in Diglis Basin, was moved during the redevelopment work at the start of the 21st century, being stolen while in a lock-up.

At the time, council bosses accused the firm of “negligence” when the theft was revealed.

READ MORE: How the Worcester News reported on the theft

In 2008, the city council said it wanted Green Villa, the developer responsible for the Diglis regeneration, to pay for the construction of an exact replica of the crane to put back in its rightful place.

The Canal and Rivers Trust has maintained throughout that the replacement is not their responsibility as they do not own the land it sat on.

A spokesperson told the Worcester News: "Our position from two years ago hasn’t changed.

"The building is no longer there, we don’t own the crane or the land that it would be on.

"We would like any canal heritage features to be replaced and we are supportive of local people who are campaigning for the return of the crane."