Repair work at the Barbican in Sandwich has been delayed.

The medieval town gate, built in 1539, is in need of maintenance work to fix the stonework and timbers.

The work started on Monday, November 29, and was due to continue during early December but this has now been postponed.

Tim Goss, area maintenance manager for East Kent Housing, which manages the Barbican, said: “Two different phases of repair works are planned for the Barbican.

“The first includes the replacement of a length of gutter over the archway, repair and redecoration of the timber boarding to the turret and repairs to an area of stonework – which were due to be completed using a short term road closure.

“However due to the extent of the repairs and the busy road location we have been advised by Kent County Council (KCC) that a more extensive road closure is required.

“As a second phase of works, to survey and further refurbish the building, is planned to happen in the spring, we are discussing with KCC how all the works can be effectively arranged with minimum impact on local road users and residents.

“If the extensive road closure is required, a 12-week consultation period with local
business and residents is needed, so we are also keen to see if we can carry out all the repairs work from phase one and two together so the road only needs to be closed for one period.”

The maintenance is to repair general wear and tear as well as damage from HGVs coming over the toll bridge.

Mr Goss said: “We would like to start work as soon as possible and hope to have confirmation of the time scales for all works early next year.”

The Barbican is managed by East Kent Housing on behalf of Dover District Council (DDC), which has been supporting the work.

A DDC spokesman said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with East Kent Housing to enable repair work to be carried out on this historic property.”

A £6,000 grant from The Coastal Revival Fund will revive green open spaces along the route of the former medieval town walls and earth works in Sandwich.

Sandwich is the most complete medieval town in the UK with its town walls and Great Bulwark dating back to 1384.

The funding will be used for surveys to protect the walls and to revive them as a circular walk.