7th November 2025

Subject: Re: EIR 101007921982, IR101007928232 – Structural Safety of Retaining Wall at Howard Close

Dear Freedom of Information Officer,

Thank you for your response dated 7 November 2025 regarding my Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) request and internal review.

I note your position that Stockport Council holds no information regarding the design, construction, adoption, or maintenance of the large retaining wall at Howard Close, and that you consider your records “definitive.”

However, I must again raise serious concerns — not only about record-keeping, but also about public safety and accountability.

This wall supports one adopted Council road and would collapse onto another, and its failure would make both impassable, posing a clear danger to the public and emergency services. The suggestion that the Council holds no responsibility or information about such a substantial structure, situated immediately adjacent to its highways, is extremely concerning.

It is my understanding that:

  • Documents exist that show the wall was adopted by the Council following the original development.
  • Even if formal adoption paperwork is missing, the Council may still hold statutory responsibility under highway and public safety legislation to ensure structures adjoining its roads are safe.
  • The Council’s duty of care under the Highways Act 1980, along with the EIR 2004, requires the authority to hold and disclose environmental and safety information relevant to public infrastructure.

Accordingly, I request the following:

  1. That the Council re-examines any archives, planning records, adoption files, or structural reports relating to Howard Close and adjacent roads.
  2. That the Council identifies which department or landowner is deemed responsible for the inspection and maintenance of this retaining wall.
  3. That the Council confirms what emergency plan or mitigation measures are in place should this structure fail.

If the Council maintains that it holds no such information, please provide a formal statement under Regulation 12(4)(a) of the EIR 2004, including details of the searches conducted and the reasoning for concluding that no information is held.

Given the potential risk to public safety, I also ask that this matter be escalated internally to the Head of Highways and Structural Assets for urgent review.

If this issue remains unresolved, I will refer the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office for investigation, and, if appropriate, to the Health and Safety Executive or relevant statutory authority.

Yours faithfully,

Sheila Oliver
Editor, The Romiley Gazette