News / Infrastructure
Residents in repair row over crumbling wall
A homeowner said he has spent nearly £1,700 on temporary safety measures amid a long-running dispute over responsibility for a nearby retaining wall.
Russell Seymour, who has lived in his home on Clay Bottom for more than 20 years, said he was first alerted to the problem in 2024 when he received a letter from Bristol City Council warning that a wall near his property was “leaning out dangerously”.
Since then, residents say they have spent thousands of pounds on temporary fencing, bollards and structural supports for the 200-year-old wall on Rose Green Road which backs onto several homes.
However, disagreement remains over who should pay for more permanent repairs.
Bristol City Council maintains it is the residents’ responsibility “to keep it safe and secure” as it solely supports their gardens while residents claim the wall, which pre-dates the properties, does not feature any on the deeds and therefore they do not own it.
Russell Seymour told Bristol24/7 the uncertainty of the situation has taken a personal toll
The council’s original letter included a photograph of the wall and said a title search had identified several neighbouring properties as potentially responsible for its upkeep.
Seymour said the situation has been complicated by the fact that several properties along the stretch are flats represented by a management company, making communication difficult.
“The evening I got that letter, I thought, ‘This is serious’,” Seymour told Bristol24/7.
According to Seymour, residents have repeatedly been told by the council that they are responsible for making the wall safe, but attempts to organise repairs have made little progress.
“I’ve spent about £1,700 just for the hire of the safety measures,” he said. “Since putting that in, they have done nothing else.”
“What worries me most is if the wall falls,” Seymour added. “Then our houses will be at risk.”
“The whole wall would have to be fixed.
“If responsibility lies with us, then it would have to be shared fairly because the whole wall has to be safe.”
Temporary safety measures were installed at the beginning of 2025
Seymour said the uncertainty has taken a personal toll.
He said: “I’ve just paid the mortgage off. I want to retire soon.
“But I’m thinking if I have a big bill, I might not be able to do that.”
Seymour believes a meeting between residents and council officers would be the best way to resolve the dispute.
He said: “It’s getting worse over time and nothing’s happening.
“You can’t just leave it like that.”
The wall, which runs along the back of several homes on Clay Bottom Road, is at risk of collapsing
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee, said: “This section of a retaining wall along Rose Green Road, which solely supports the private rear gardens of properties, is at risk of collapsing and requires significant repairs to make it safe and ensure it isn’t presenting a risk to people using the road or pavement.
“We are in contact with the residents and owners of the properties whose gardens are held up by this section of retaining wall and have been clear on our position and what is required of them to remove the risk.
“Although this position has been challenged by residents, the council’s actions have been supported by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
“Where any structure, such as a wall, bridge or subway, is identified as presenting a risk to people using a public road or pavement the council will take action to ensure safety measures are in place to address the risk.
“This may include closing the pavement or road and providing an alternative pedestrian or vehicle route and ensuring a structural support is place until repairs have been completed and the structure is no longer in a dangerous condition.
“Although we will offer guidance on what is required, it is the responsibility of the owner of the structure to ensure it is kept in a safe and secure condition.”
All photos: Betty Woolerton
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