Neglected Maintenance Leads to Costly Repairs on Aberaman Retaining Wall

Thanks are due to local residents for their persistence in repeatedly raising concerns with the council, which has ultimately resulted in long-overdue maintenance works being completed on a damaged retaining wall in Aberaman. The wall is located between the A4059 and Glancynon Terrace and had been in a visibly deteriorating condition for some time.

Concerns Mount Over Deteriorating Retaining Wall in Aberaman as Council Delays Action

However, it is disappointing that this situation was allowed to develop in the first place. Poor maintenance policies within the council meant that a relatively straightforward task—such as routinely controlling vegetation growth in and around retaining walls—was neglected. Had basic preventative maintenance been carried out, the deterioration could likely have been avoided, and public money could have been used far more effectively rather than being spent on costly external contractors.

The structure is shown prior to the scheme commencing (left) and again following the completion of works (right).

The maintenance scheme itself involved the removal of intrusive vegetation and tree stumps, the rebuilding of a small section of defective masonry, and the raking out and repointing of areas where mortar had significantly deteriorated.

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Contractor Hammonds ECS Ltd has now vacated the site following completion of the works, which were funded entirely through taxpayers’ money.

While RCT Council frequently states that it is “transforming RCT”, this project highlights a different reality. Rather than delivering transformation, the council is increasingly relying on expensive external contractors to carry out routine maintenance work that could and should have been managed more effectively through regular upkeep.

It is important to remember that all public money is taxpayers’ money—money that residents work hard to earn and contribute. This makes it essential that such funds are spent responsibly, efficiently, and with a greater focus on prevention rather than costly remedial action.