Councillor slams lack of repairs at Saltburn Valley Gardens

Councillor Philip Thomson said the standard of maintenance at the gardens, which are grade two listed and on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register, “fell well short of any acceptable level”.

In response, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Redcar and Cleveland Council, Councillor Neil Bendelow conceded there was “insufficient budget” to undertake wider maintenance improvement works, but any “safety critical” defects that arose would be rectified.

Cllr Thomson, who represents Saltburn, told a meeting of the council: “Railings at one of the main entrances have been in a state of disrepair for several years and, despite site visits by senior officers and cabinet members, repairs have not been undertaken. 

“The disrepair continues along the entire length of the pavements bordering the Valley Gardens and Rifts Wood.

“Anyone looking at the railings in question – which extend for half a mile – [can see] they are disconnected and rusty.”

In a prior question, Cllr Thomson claimed the council had advised that repairs would be programmed in the 2025/26 financial year and a “ticket” was raised last May, but “317 days later” nothing had commenced.

The council has previously acknowledged issues at the gardens, including path and step subsidence and unmanaged tree and shrub growth, primarily due to the steeply sloping nature of the site.

It is understood to be seeking opportunities for funding to protect and revitalise the gardens.

Cllr Bendelow said requests had been made of the council, but the threshold of being safety critical had not been met.

He said some boundary elements at the gardens “may not look appealing”, but carriageway, footway and drainage works took priority.

A discussion would be held with Cllr Thomson and volunteers to try and come up with a plan to bid for external funding for the gardens, he added.

Cllr Thomson said the response was “disappointing” and claimed there had been written commitments that work would be carried out.

He then updated councillors stating that “yesterday five sections of railing have been replaced”, but said the approach of the authority was mired in a “complexity of disarray”.

Cllr Bendelow said he had walked around the gardens with Cllr Thomson and it was a “jewel in the crown in Saltburn” with a “bigger piece of work required”.

Saltburn Valley Gardens was established in 1861 by Quaker industrialist Henry Pease as part of his vision for a refined Victorian seaside resort.

It was developed throughout the late 19th century and features a formal Italian garden, wooded walks and a miniature railway.