New railings

Rusting Victorian railings by the gentlemen’s club are to be replaced, but they will not be an exact match to save money.

The stanchions and rails at the western end have now been repainted – but the newer posts at the opposite end are disintegrating and town clerk Jo Vanstone was asked to obtain quotes.

Costs quoted were �2,659.65 and �2,000 – but to replace them and get a perfect match, one of the Victorian stanchions would need to be removed entirely to create a mould.

Mrs Vanstone said: “(The removal)… in order for a perfect match to be created was something that caused concern from residents in the first place…”

She added: “The mould alone would cost �1,500.”

Councillor Chris Kitson suggested the rails could be replaced with a gabion wall, but this was rejected by councillors.

Councillor Tom Wright backed proposals to buy ‘off the peg’ railings: “All the railings in Fore Street vary slightly anyway.

“But they should be matched as closely as possible.”

Deputy Mayor Courtney Richards said: “As long as the match is close enough, I don’t think holiday makers will even notice.”