Source/Archive record SCH8650 - Level 4 Record: Associated with dismantling and rebuilding of Grade II listed Warrington Cenotaph

A level 4 building record was compiled in 2018 for the Warrington Cenotaph, both a Grade II nationally listed, also a locally listed building, in advance of repair works. The Cenotaph stands on the south bank of the River Mersey between Warrington Bridge and Warrington New Bridge. Following the collapse of a section of masonry river wall between the bridges and immediately behind the retaining wall of the cenotaph, it was considered necessary to undertake remedial works to prevent further collapse. Investigation on site also identified signs of past and potentially on-going cracking and movement of the boundary walls of the war memorial and gardens. This movement is probably caused by the collapse of the adjacent section river wall but may have been exacerbated by additional factors including insufficient original foundations or physical action by tree roots close-to and under the footings. A scheme of remedial works has been devised for the installation of a sheet pile retaining wall along the riverbank to secure the bank and to improve the foundations and drainage to the hard landscape areas of the cenotaph. Various methodologies for undertaking the works were explored but the only viable solution necessitates the temporary dis-assembly of the cenotaph in order to allow plant access to the riverbank. While there are obvious risks involved in taking down the memorial garden walls and, in particular, the obelisk, the work is necessary in order to secure the Cenotaph site and prevent further collapse in future. The opportunity is also being taken to include additional public benefits in the scheme though the provision of ramp access to the cenotaph site, external lighting and improved mountings for memorial wreaths. As part of the level 4 building record, an accurate three-dimensional digital record (laser scan and photogrammetry) of the Cenotaph was undertaken in October 2018 by a specialist survey team. The full data set is archived.