Sandiway’s Round Tower has been vandalised just two months after it was rebuilt following its destruction from a car crash.
The historic landmark had to be completely demolished for health and safety reasons after a red Corsa ploughed into it in November 2013, reducing it to a pile of bricks .
Residents launched a campaign for the Grade II listed monument to be rebuilt, and following a long and painstaking process which involved combining new sandstone with some of the original bricks, Chester West and Cheshire Council (CWaC) staged an official re-opening ceremony of the newly built tower on July 27.
But less than two months later, vandals appear to have targeted the building, pouring what has been confirmed as oil all over the bricks.
Maria Byrne, Head of Place Operations for CWaC, said: ”Specialists have examined the Round Tower and have confirmed that the substance is oil. This does appear to be a deliberate attack.
“The oil has soaked into the sandstone, which makes it very difficult to remove. Once we have further information about possible remedial measures we will consider the options available.
“We are dreadfully disappointed that such a well-loved landmark has been scarred after so much hard work to rebuild it,” she added.
Following the incident, driver Lesley Davis admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Chester Crown Court and the restoration project was funded by her insurance.
