ALMOST two years after the near-collapse of a section of wall at County Hall, Dorchester it remains propped up by scaffolding.

Dorset Council admits that getting the problem resolved has been slower than it would have liked.

It says the situation has been complicated because any changes to the wall, even repairs, needs both Listed Building and Scheduled Monument approvals.

The crumbling wall is on the corner of North Walks and West Walks at the northern end of Colliton Park and within yards of the Roman townhouse site.

Dorset Council says that it erected scaffolding and water tanks, which provide ballast, around the site in April 2022 because the wall had deteriorated to an extent where it might have collapsed on The Walks and become a health and safety hazard.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "The works required are not straightforward as the wall needs to be dismantled and fully rebuilt and requires both Listed Building and Scheduled Monument approvals. The wall dates from the early 18th century and is constructed of alternate bands of Ridgeway or Portland rubble and flints with red brick coping, it was built on the earlier Roman wall ramparts.

"We are currently clearing ivy and other vegetation from the wall and a 3D survey has been undertaken to record the current state of the wall. We should get the results of that soon.

"We have appointed specialist local architects Crickmay Stark to carry out some of the management of this work."