'Death trap' concern over pub
Liz Coates Safety concerns have been raised over a shuttered Great Yarmouth pub passed by dozens of young children on their way to school.A missing manhole cover was replaced on Thursday and fencing has been put up by leasholders Seashore holiday park after pressure from pupils at North Denes Middle School and action from the borough council.
Liz Coates
Safety concerns have been raised over a shuttered Great Yarmouth pub passed by dozens of young children on their way to school.
A missing manhole cover was replaced on Thursday and fencing has been put up by leasholders Seashore holiday park after pressure from pupils at North Denes Middle School and action from the borough council.
Headteacher Nancy Heywood said the Iron Duke pub in Jellicoe Road had become a magnet for vandals and fly tippers and a possible “death trap” for children.
She said concerns had also been raised about cracks in a wall which could be unstable, adding: “It's just an eyesore. The children have raised concerns and written to the borough council and things are now happening. One area has been taped off, the police community support officers have replaced the man hole cover and engineers have visited the site.”
Council head of planning and development Peter Warner said inspectors had visited the site and Haven general manager Robert Mills was aware of the situation.
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A 2m tall “big foot” fence was due to be put up along three sides of the site on Monday.
Haven spokesman Tom Cassidy said the building was secure and that the company architect who visited on Friday said the cracked wall did not pose a danger. “The only thing that the council wanted was a fence put round three sides of the building and that has been erected. They have fulfilled what was promised and a qualified architect says there is no danger from the walls.”
Mr Cassidy said the future of the pub was “a delicate matter” but did not want to elaborate.
Student school councillors made their voices heard in a letter to the council which told of their concerns over the “hazard” pub. The letter signed by four youngsters said: “Could you please inform the owner that the pupils are complaining that it is unsafe and can collapse at any minute.” The letter also raised concerns about the effect on “manners” of graffiti and rude comments under the bridge.
