Last updated at 21:14, Thursday, 18 February 2010
 

ST PETER’S Church at Camerton could be forced to close following the collapse of an access bridge and the loss of vital defences destroyed in November’s floods.

Parishioners heard this week that it would cost about £1 million to repair walls, replace the damaged bridge, meet possible legal costs and build new flood defences – money that the church does not have.

Gravestones were knocked over, land and flood defences were washed away and Miser Bridge, which linked the village and church, collapsed on November 20.

The Ven Dr Richard Pratt, Archdeacon of West Cumberland, told a public meeting on Monday: “If we cannot get access to the church, or we cannot protect it from flooding, we may have to look at declaring it redundant.

“Even if getting the money were not a problem, the Parochial Church Council of Camerton and Seaton will need to ask itself whether this would be the best way to spend the best part of £1 million.”

Insurance will cover repairs to walls and work on some headstones. But the flood defences were not covered by insurance because they were not on church land.

Mr Pratt added that if the Grade II listed church was declared redundant, the church council would have to look for an alternative use for the building, which could be difficult because of access problems and flood risk.

The church council believes that Justin Rushworth, who owns land next to the church, is liable for the replacement of a roadway over the bridge. If he refuses to replace the bridge, the only option would be to pursue him through a legal battle, which could take more than five years.

The cost of replacing the bridge was estimated to be between £10,000 and £500,000.

Mr Pratt added that the Rev Ian Grainger, vicar of Seaton, Camerton and Northside, should spend no more than two hours a week on St Peter’s and it was unlikely that the Churches Conservation Trust would contribute towards costs because it only looked after Grade I listed buildings.

Some parishioners suggested that St Peter’s was being abandoned.

Joseph Akitt, 79, of Seaton, said: “My daughter is buried in the churchyard and we want to look after the grave space.

“If they don’t repair the flood barriers it will be washed away. I think they have already decided to close the church and I still think that the Church of England should foot part of the bill.”

Mr Pratt added: “If the people of Workington were offered a choice between spending a million on a Camerton church or on the roads, which do you think they would choose?”

Mr Grainger added: “We are not being negative. We are being realistic.”

The church council will decide what action to take next at a meeting on Wednesday.

Money could also be sought from Camerton villagers, the Cumbria Community Foundation and from Europe.

But Mr Pratt said that fund-raising could not start until the way forward was clear.

The estimated costs involved are:

• new flood defences: between £500,000 and £650,000
• legal costs to establish liability: £10,000, possibly more
• bridge replacement: between £10,000 and £500,000, but possibly more
• embankment work: £100,000
• work to lay headstones down and make them safe: £6,500 (covered by insurance up to £1,500)
• rebuilding the walls: £100,000 (covered by insurance).

 

First published at 19:28, Thursday, 18 February 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk