WARRINGTON Borough Council has decided to consult with the War Graves Commission before making a final decision on the future of Warrington Cenotaph on Bridge Foot.
At a meeting Executive Board it was agreed to sanction £1.3m funding to move the war memorial while emergency repair works are carried out to the nearby river bank.
But following concerns raised by local campaigner Julie Francis and other residents they have agreed to consult with the War Graves Commission on whether the move should be temporary or permanent.
A WBC spokesman said: “We need to consider the wishes of stakeholders and the people of Warrington. We will also be speaking to the War Memorials Commission to seek their views before proceeding with any work.”
Julie , who has a son in the army and late father was a veteran, was left “gobsmacked” when she heard about a proposed temporary move, saying it would be a “complete waste of money.”
The proposed termporary move was announced when a masonry river wall along the section of the Mersey immediately below the Cenotaph was found to be in a poor state during a routine inspection of bridge and riverside structures.
High water levels and increased river flow have exacerbated this condition in recent years, causing part of the river wall to collapse.
It is difficult to accurately predict the rate of deterioration of the river wall, as this will be heavily influenced by prevailing weather and river flood conditions.
The work would also include improved accessibility to the site.
•It is estimated the cost of moving the Cenotaph and repairing will be £1.3 million.
•Warrington Borough Council has already consulted with key stakeholders.
•If approved, the work would take place after Remembrance Sunday 2017 and the site would be ready before the same date in 2018.
•The Cenotaph and war memorial at Bridge Foot was completed in 1925 and has been used as a focus for memorial events and Remembrance Sunday since that date.
•Although originally constructed to honour the fallen in the Great War, the memorial now commemorates both World Wars and other conflicts since that date including the Northern Ireland Conflict, Palestine and the Iraq War.
On hearing of the proposed further consultation Julie said: “If it is to remain at Bridge Foot there needs to be major improvements and all I would ask is that the council fully consult the people of Warrington before making any final decision – as they are just custodians of the memorial which is here for all the people.
