A MEDIEVAL alleyway believed to be one of the oldest structures in Cowley will be repaired this month to fix a ‘dangerous lean’.

Residents have been blocked from using the passage, which links the Grates and Hockmore Street, since November.

City councillor David Henwood said: “The alleyway has been blocked off for several months due to developing a dangerous lean which I reported last year.

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“At last residents should feel relieved that this ancient alleyway is coming back, providing invaluable access for local residents.”

Mr Henwood explained that the tilt of 'around 12-15 degrees' meant it was no longer safe for the city council to leave the passage open to the public.

He said: "It's the same rules that are applied to gravestones."

The Cowley councillor added a stonemason had now been contracted to complete the necessary work, which is expected to take pace later this month.

Oxford Mail:

It will involve reducing the height of the worst affected section of wall, approximately 20 metres, near to the ground level of the path.

The wall will then be rebuilt using as much of the existing stone as possible.

Hydraulic lime is being used as opposed to cement mortar and a small trial pit will be excavated to determine details in the foundation.

The alley was the historic route from Temple Cowley through to Church Cowley Church.

Mr Henwood, who has looked into the history of the path, said: “It is probably one of the oldest surviving manmade structures in Cowley.

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"I don't think many people who use the alleyway would now that, it took quite a while to dig up the information myself.

"Now that we've found this gem though, I want to pass it on and possibly have a plaque installed to make people aware of the history."

He added: "As far as we know conservation have confirmed that the wall has no ‘listed status’ but does have ‘historical interest’, the earliest map dates back to 1605, but I have researched further back to when the Knights Templar had farm buildings in this area of Cowley."

Aside from its historical value, the path is a well-used route by residents.

Mr Henwood said: "If you are walking, it almost doubles the time it takes to get from one point to the other with the alleyway closed.

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"The other route is also not lit and so we are keen to get the alleyway – which we invested in to have lighting installed – back in use."

He said the work is expected to take around a month to complete, adding: "Hopefully with favourable conditions we can get the wall built as soon as possible and open the lane back up."