FALLING masonry from Kendal Town Hall has led to the erection of temporary railings outside the building to protect members of the public.

During Storm Desmond a small piece of masonry was dislodged from the front of the town hall and fell onto the pavement below.

First scaffolding was erected to allow the condition of the building to be assessed and to protect members of the public from any other masonry that might fall.

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The scaffolding has now been replaced by railings, which have been lined with wooden panels to ‘improve the look of the town hall frontage and guide pedestrians away from the very front of the building as a precaution.’

A South Lakeland District Council spokesman said: “Following a full and specialist inspection, masonry repairs will be required, but the risk of any further fall of masonry is very low.

“The council has engaged conservation specialists to survey and recommend how any repair work required should be carried out and any repairs will require listed building consent.

“This could be quite a long process, so as the risks are very low and any repair work may not be completed until later this year. It was decided to remove the scaffolding and replace it with temporary railings.”

Permission for the temporary railings was granted by the highways authority.