A PETITION has been launched demanding urgent repairs to a County Durham market town's crumbling castle walls.

Part of Barnard Castle's walls facing onto Bridgegate collapsed four years ago and have yet to be repaired as a row between Raby Estates, English Heritage and Durham County Council over who is responsible rumbles on.

At Barnard Castle Town Council's annual town meeting, resident Gary Marshall warned: “The walls are in a state of disrepair and there is going to be an accident where people could get seriously hurt.

“With the next decent rainfall, there is going to be a slip and it will take a couple of trees with it.”

Assistant clerk Helen Plant said the council had written on numerous occasions to try to find out what was happening.

“It seems to be stalemate,” she said.

Town councillors agreed to write again to Raby Estates, English Heritage and the county council asking what progress had been made to stabalise the walls.

They also agreed to support a petition launched by Mr Marshall calling for repairs to be carried out as soon as possible.

“This whole area used to be known as Bridge Street and was the slum area. When the houses were demolished, the rubble was pushed up against the walls and this is going to collapse if something isn't done soon,” said Mr Marshall.

A spokesman for Raby Estates said at the time of the initial collapse, information had been requested by and supplied to Durham County Council.

“It seems to have stalled. As far as we are concerned it lies with Durham County Council to investigate what is to be done there,” he said.

An English Heritage spokesperson said: “Although many parts of Barnard Castle come under our care, the Outer Ward, where the collapse has happened is not looked after by us.

“This part of the scheduled monument is owned by the Raby Estate and it is their responsibility to fix it.

“This doesn’t mean we aren’t doing all we can to try and resolve the situation.

“Since the collapse, we have been actively involved in discussions with Durham County Council, Durham County Council solicitors and the estate’s legal advisers to try and work out a way forward that sees the wall repaired and the collapses stop.

“Our structural engineers have twice visited the site to give detailed advice to the estate about what needs to be done to make the necessary repairs.

“We, like the rest of the town and visitors to the castle, want this issue to be resolved as quickly and easily as possible.”

Stuart Timmiss, head of planning at Durham County Council added: “As it has proved difficult to identify the parties responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the walls it is not possible for the council to take action.

“We continue to work with all interested parties to find a solution but in the current economic climate it is very challenging for everyone.

“We are more than happy to meet with the town council to discuss ways forward.”