In a distressing turn of events, the historic Bilston Town Hall has suffered tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage due to the theft of lead from its roof. This criminal act has not only compromised the building's structural integrity but also caused significant disruption to the community.
Bilston Town Hall (Image: (c) copyright bbc.co.uk)
Several large masonry blocks were dislodged from the roof, landing on Church Street in Bilston. West Midlands Police promptly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. The City of Wolverhampton Council confirmed that the removal of lead from the roof had resulted in extensive damage, caused by heavy rainfall which led to flooding within the building.
As a precaution, the town hall has been closed and all scheduled events have been postponed. The council emphasised that these measures would remain in place until the building's safety could be assured.
Councillor Chris Burden expressed his outrage over the incident, stating, “Bilston Town Hall sits at the heart of the community and we have invested heavily in improving the facility in recent years while remaining sensitive to its heritage status. This is a despicable act by mindless thieves who have a total disregard for community needs and safety. It has already forced the closure of the town hall in the short term and other events will need to be postponed until we can guarantee everyone’s safety."
Urgent repair work is now a priority to restore the town hall and prevent further damage. West Midlands Police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this "despicable act."
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Source: bbc.co.uk
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