Residents Asked To Evacuate As Lewes Wall In Danger Of Collapse

A heritage wall close to Lewes Castle has been identified as being in danger of collapsing after Saxum Stone Masons noticed it had become unstable.

The wall is privately owned and not a part of Lewes Castle.

The stone masons had been working on a separate wall on the Castle Rise footpath, carrying out emergency repairs to prevent its collapse.

Lewes District Council is helping residents at the affected Mount Cottages to find alternative accommodation.

They released an updated statement this morning:

A plan of action is underway to help protect the properties at risk from the unstable wall to the rear of New Road, Lewes, and to further support the residents affected.

Further structural assessment work began over the weekend to provide a fuller picture of the integrity of the wall and the underlying issues.

Specialist contractors will erect scaffolding over the coming days to help protect the properties at risk, as the programme of structural assessments continues. Electronic monitoring equipment is in place to alert us to any movement and work is continuing to ascertain ownership of the wall.

We are offering full support to residents affected, which has included providing alternative accommodation and we will be giving regular updates as the situation develops.

Council officers are engaging key partner agencies to ensure a joined-up response and we thank Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue for their swift response on Friday.

The wall in question is separate to Lewes Castle, which remains open and safe to visit.