HIGHWAYS engineers inspected a large crack in a retaining wall and do not believe the structure is likely to collapse and are keeping a close eye on it.
The large crack is visible in a brick retaining wall beneath Sherriff's Gate, the new housing regeneration development now under construction.
However, inspectors have taken a look at the huge crack in the wall and say collapse is 'unlikely'.
The jagged crack is visible in the brick retaining wall beneath the multi-storey project which looms large over the junction of Sherriff Street and Tolladine Road.
Although the wall belonged to the Historical Railways Estate, a spokesperson for the HRE said the land was sold to a private developer in 2009.
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A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "The wall above Sheriff's Gate belongs to Historical Railways Estate, however, we routinely inspect it as it is adjacent to a public highway.
"We are aware of the diagonal crack, and while we have no reason to suspect a collapse is likely, in light of the additional concerns raised, a further inspection will be undertaken on Monday for reassurance. We will liaise with Historic Railways as necessary."
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council, said on Monday, after that inspection: “We routinely inspect the wall every two years, as a duty of care to highway users, as it is adjacent to a public highway.
"We can confirm we visited the site on Monday following the concerns raised.
"The owners of the asset are continuing to monitor the crack which doesn’t appear to have deteriorated since our last inspection last summer. We will liaise with the owners as necessary.”
A crack appears to run right up the side of the wall near the Sherriff Street sign from the pavement to the summit above which the £150 million housing project sits perched.
Work started on the project last July and, when finished, it will bring hundreds of new apartments including affordable housing.
There are also plans for a hotel, gym, multi-storey car park, food and beverage outlets, a multiscreen cinema and ten-pin bowling.
Contracts manager Scott Blackburn said in a previous statement: "We can confirm that a structural survey was completed prior to the project commencing, which covered the retaining walls along both Sherriff Street and Tolladine Road.
"As part of this structural survey, the cracks mentioned within the email below were recorded.
"The cracks as you can see within the photos are weathered and have been present for many years.
"As part of the structural survey report recommendations, we were advised to install tell-tails to these cracks and to monitor, which we implemented and have continued to monitor throughout our works and have received confirmation from site that there has been no movement."
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