New pictures show that an iconic Cheshire landmark is almost halfway to being rebuilt.
Work has been ongoing for months to restore the beloved Round Tower in Sandiway to its original site on the A556, almost two years after it was completely destroyed by a car.
Conservation specialists Grosvenor Construction Company have been meticulously reconstructing the monument in Kinmel Bay, combining new sandstone with some of the original brick, so the tower will look as fresh as it did when it was first built in the early years of the 19th century.
Once completed, the tower will be transported back to Cheshire in numbered blocks to begin phase 2 of the project.
Rory Moore, the company’s director said: “Much of the stone was damaged on impact with the car and we were faced with the prospect of a patchwork effect if we used new stone with the old.
“We decided to re-work the stone to give it a new and consistent face. It has taken us more time to do this but we have managed to salvage much more of the original fabric of the Round Tower than we originally thought was possible.
“Though we may well have worked on larger projects I don’t think any of them have created more interest.”
The tower had to be destroyed for safety reasons after motorist Lesley Davis collided into it on November 15, 2013.
Ms Davis, 57, of Northwich , admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Chester Crown Court following the incident, and the restoration project has been funded by her insurance.
Cllr Charles Fifield, ward member for Weaver and Cuddington , said: “We have attempted to keep residents informed at each stage of the project and I am pleased these pictures show it won’t be long before the Round Tower is part of our local landscape again.
“Whilst the refaced stonework will look ‘as good as new’ the sandstone will soon weather and give a more realistic appearance of its true age.”
