Durham County Council
Local Authority / Fire Service
Action Taken
• Officers from the council’s health and safety team attended the location to inspect the breach in the stone wall. • A site-specific risk assessment for the site had been previously undertaken by council officers for this area and this followed national guidance and methodology; this previous assessment was reviewed and updated to reflect the findings from the inquest. • The council will install a steel fencing section to fully close the gap in the existing stone wall and prevent unrestricted public access to the drop below. (AI summary)
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Dear Mr Chipperfield Further to your Regulation 28 report dated 6 March 2026, issued following the inquest into the tragic death of Kay Wilson, I write on behalf of Durham County Council to acknowledge the matters of concern raised and to set out the action taken and proposed. Action taken Officers from the council’s health and safety team attended the location on 25 March 2026 to inspect the breach in the stone wall located to the east of County Bridge, Barnard Castle. A site-specific risk assessment for the site had been previously undertaken by council officers for this area and this followed national guidance and methodology. This previous assessment was reviewed and updated to reflect the findings from the inquest. During the same visit, officers also inspected a separate section of wall previously identified as damaged and referenced in associated documentation as part of the Regulation 28 report. This wall was identified as being on the B6277 road on the western side of the river. It can be confirmed that this section had now been fully repaired. See photographs of repair attached in Appendix 1.
Action planned In relation to the breach in the stone wall running north above the riverside from the east side of “County Bridge" it has been agreed that the most appropriate permanent control measure is the installation of a steel fencing section to fully close the gap in the existing stone wall and prevent unrestricted public access to the drop below. Advice was sought from the council’s conservation team, who have confirmed their agreement to this proposal, subject to the fencing being installed to the same height as the existing stone wall to maintain the character of the area. Periodic inspections and reviews of the area and the previous risk assessment will continue to be undertaken by council officers and documented. Timescales and assurance An order has been placed for the fencing, and installation is scheduled to be completed no later than Friday 29 May 2026. The council considers that the actions taken and planned directly address the concern identified in the Regulation 28 report and will prevent unrestricted public access to a hazardous drop at this location, thereby reducing the risk of future incidents. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information or clarification.
Action planned In relation to the breach in the stone wall running north above the riverside from the east side of “County Bridge" it has been agreed that the most appropriate permanent control measure is the installation of a steel fencing section to fully close the gap in the existing stone wall and prevent unrestricted public access to the drop below. Advice was sought from the council’s conservation team, who have confirmed their agreement to this proposal, subject to the fencing being installed to the same height as the existing stone wall to maintain the character of the area. Periodic inspections and reviews of the area and the previous risk assessment will continue to be undertaken by council officers and documented. Timescales and assurance An order has been placed for the fencing, and installation is scheduled to be completed no later than Friday 29 May 2026. The council considers that the actions taken and planned directly address the concern identified in the Regulation 28 report and will prevent unrestricted public access to a hazardous drop at this location, thereby reducing the risk of future incidents. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information or clarification.