Call for urgent checks on buildings in centre of Thurso after collapse of masonry at former Clydesdale bank
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A THURSO community councillor has called for "urgent" checks to be undertaken on buildings in the centre of the town following the collapse of masonry at the former Clydesdale bank.
Billy Sinclair, who stressed he was speaking in a personal capacity, said the incident should serve as a wake-up call.
He said: "We were lucky no-one was killed when the masonry fell from the old Clydesdale Bank but this is the third occasion when objects have fallen off buildings during the past two years. A masonry block fell out of the wall at Williamson’s chemist – directly opposite the Clydesdale bank – last year. Roof tiles and small bits of masonry fell from the Bank of Scotland in Olrig Street earlier this year and now we have the problem with the old Clydesdale bank."
Mr Sinclair would like to see buildings – especially the tall ones – in Traill Street and Olrig Street checked to make sure they are safe.
"I believe that it cannot be a coincidence that these places are all on the main A9 route and I strongly suspect that the vibrations caused by heavy loaded lorries passing could well be the root cause of the structural failures. Urgent action is required on the fabric of other buildings along this route.
"I am by no means an expert but that is my view. We have had three warnings now and been very fortunate that no one has been killed but I feel something needs to be done. Other buildings need to be checked."
He added: "The Clydesdale Bank must be over 100 years so age comes into it and some of the buildings in the town were built on sand but I think the heavy lorries could be factor in these incidents. What is causing these massive blocks to shift. There's got to be a root cause. There was little wind or rain when it happened," he added.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor, Ron Gunn, who chairs the Caithness committee, said that following the collapse of the masonry at the former Clydesdale banks, surveyors from Highland Council have been examining the adjoining buildings.
"They want to see if there are any obvious signs of problems. If they spot anything they would contact the owners. The surveyors could be asked to look at some of the other buildings in the area once they have finished their initial checks. That would seem like a good move but we will have to wait and see the results of this initial examination and take it from there," he said.
Tons of sandstone blocks fell from the parapet of the former Clydesdale Bank in Thurso's Traill Street at around 3-4am on Monday, May 1.
Police created a safety cordon around the area and restricted pedestrian access to shops and businesses, while the A9 through the town was closed until around 10pm that day.
