AS plans to repair Epping’s age-worn war memorial are finally submitted, disappointment has been expressed that measures have not been taken to prevent more serious damage to the monument.
The memorial, on Epping village green, was built in 1921 and lists the names of the 114 servicemen from Epping who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
However, decades of rain, frost and snow have left the stonework chipped and worn and after months of wrangling over details, plans have been submitted to Epping Forest District Council to make much-needed repair works to the Grade II listed building.
The elements are not the only threat faced by the monument though.
In 2010, Residents expressed concerns that trucks, unable to navigate the narrow roads that run past the village green, were turning the grass in to a muddy wasteland.
Later that year Epping Town Council expressed serious concerns to the Corporation of London (CoL), who own Epping village green, that roots from a nearby oak tree could cause serious damage to the stone of the memorial.
It is not believed that Essex County council have any plans to restrict heavy goods vehicles from using the roads around the green and the CoL last year rejected calls to cut down the oak.
John Duffell, who is chairman of Epping Royal British legion, said: “It is great news that plans to make repairs are finally in. It was built a long time ago and there is a lot of weather damage. This monument stands for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their life for their country and it should look its best.
He said that if the County Council were unwilling to restrict the road to prevent heavy goods vehicles accessing it, concrete posts should be placed round the monument to protect the grass surrounding it.
"I think they should cut down the tree. We live in the middle of a forest and have enough trees. I think is is more important to protect the monument," said Mr Duffell.
Bob Whitome, who is clerk at Epping Town council, has led the authorities attempts to protect the monument.
He said: “We are still trying to ensure that as much is done to protect the war memorial as needs to be done.
“It would have been nice to go further than make the repair works that have been proposed and I am disappointed.”
A decision on whether to approve the plans will be made by councillors on November 2.
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